The first Boxer multi-role armoured vehicle to be built in the UK made a grand entrance at the Defence iQ International Armoured Vehicles Conference (IAV 2025), held in Farnborough from 21 to 23 January, with UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle unveiling the vehicle.
The vast majority of the 628 Boxers ordered by the UK will be built by two specially expanded companies, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and KNDS UK, supported by numerous suppliers from the country. The first 105 units will be produced in Germany.
The British Army’s Boxer production contract has brought the manufacture of armoured combat vehicles back to the UK, boosting the UK’s defence capabilities, economic strength and technical excellence, Rheinmetall noted in a press release.
The Boxer’s journey on British soil began in 2019, when the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded the contract through European procurement agency OCCAR to ARTEC GmbH, a partnership between Rheinmetall and KNDS, with the manufacture of the Boxer vehicles subcontracted to RBSL and WFEL (now KNDS UK). Rheinmetall and KNDS have invested heavily in the UK companies, creating state-of-the-art production facilities that feature modern steel armour production lines, advanced surface treatment systems and integrated assembly lines for propulsion and mission modules.
According to the UK MoD, around 75% of British Army Boxer components are procured domestically to ensure a stable domestic supply. GBP5 billion (EUR 5.9 billion) is being invested to equip the British Army with 623 Boxers and 148 Challenger 3 main battle tanks, which are to be put into service by the end of 2030. Together with the production of the Ajax tracked AFV family – the third armoured platform being procured for the British Army – 6,000 jobs will be saved or created in the UK.
“It was a pleasure to unveil the first fully British-made Boxer: a testament to the expertise and innovation of the UK’s growing defence industry,” Eagle stated. “Producing this world-class vehicle at home is an example of our government’s Plan for Change, deepening our partnership with industry to create thousands of highly skilled jobs and drive growth across the UK,” she added.
John Abunassar, CEO of Rheinmetall UK, added: “The unveiling of the first UK-made Boxer is a historic moment for the UK defence industry. It not only symbolises the return of armoured vehicle production to UK soil, but also underlines Rheinmetall’s commitment to providing the UK with sovereign capability, innovation and economic prosperity. The Boxer is more than a vehicle; it is a trailblazer for the ‘Future Force’, ensuring that the British Army is equipped for the challenges of tomorrow, while delivering real benefits today.”
According to Rheinmetall, the UK test programme for the Boxer is progressing successfully, with the prototypes passing all tests on their first attempt. These tests, supported by ARTEC and KNDS, included electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments, live-fire exercises on the Lulworth Ranges in Dorset and extreme climate assessments at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. These faultless performances underline the Boxer’s exceptional reliability and operational readiness, even in the most challenging environments, Rheinmetall noted.
Following the completion of the trials, the first British crews will be trained in handling the vehicles over the next few weeks before taking their vehicles back to their home regiment for tactical training.
