ARTEC, the 64:36 joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS that produces the Boxer 8×8 multi-role armoured vehicle, has received an order via Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement – OCCAR) to produce a total of 222 Schakal (Jackal) infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for Germany and the Netherlands, Rheinmetall announced on 20 October 2025.
The Schakal is a new combat vehicle that combines the wheeled chassis of the Boxer with the turret of the tracked Puma IFV developed by KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall. The Puma turret is armed with Rheinmetall’s MK30-2/ABM 30 mm autocannon and a coaxially mounted 5.56 mm HK MG4 machine gun.
Under the OCCAR contract 150 Schakal vehicles will be delivered to the Bundeswehr, with the remaining 72 bound for the Royal Netherlands Army.
The combined value of the German/Dutch order is worth EUR 3.41 billion gross, with Rheinmetall’s share amounting to almost EUR 3 billion of this amount and the rest going to KNDS.
The contract includes a logistics package containing spare parts, training materials and specialised tools. It also covers optional additional capabilities such as protection against manportable anti-tank weapons, hostile fire detection and identification as well as defences against drone attack.
A call-off of up to 248 additional vehicles is also included as an option.
The Schakal IFV is the main platform for the Bundeswehr’s newly established medium forces. In addition to a crew of three it can carry and deploy six dismounts and then provide fire support, with the main 30 mm autocannon with its airburst ammunition able to address a wide range of targets.
