Rheinmetall hands over first Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier to Bundeswehr

By Defence Industry Europe

The Bundeswehr has taken delivery of its first Boxer Heavy Weapons Carrier 8x8 vehicle from Rheinmetall Landsysteme. This delivery, occurring just three weeks after the contract was signed, initiates an extensive integrated verification test phase to assess the vehicle’s compatibility with the Bundeswehr’s Customer Product Management (CPM) standards.

 

The Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicle will undergo a rigorous assessment over the coming months, involving operational parameters and functional limits. This phase is critical, as it encompasses a collaboration between the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), future troop users, and industry representatives. Their goal is to rapidly identify and rectify any potential deficiencies, ensuring the vehicle meets the stringent requirements for operational deployment among troops.

 

 

Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, the Army Inspector, emphasized the strategic importance of the Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier, noting its role in bolstering the capabilities of Germany’s intermediate forces. The vehicle is equipped with a formidable 30mm automatic cannon and a MELLS anti-tank guided missile system, poised to replace the older Wiesel 1 vehicles. The Wiesel 1 has been a staple in the German Army since the late 1980s, initially designed for air-transportable support in airborne operations and progressively adapted for various battlefield roles.

 

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Furthermore, this procurement is supported by a significant EUR 2.7 billion contract between Germany and Australia, marking the largest military export to Germany to date. Under this contract, Australia’s Department of Defence serves as the main contractor, with Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) acting as a subcontractor to deliver a total of 123 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles.

 

 

The introduction of the Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicle marks a strategic shift in the Bundeswehr’s approach, aiming to bridge the operational gap between light paratrooper troops and heavy armored units. This new vehicle offers a blend of speed and substantial firepower, essential for rapid response and sustained resilience on the battlefield. Production is expected to escalate, with the first batch of 19 vehicles scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025 and an annual output of 25 vehicles starting in 2026 at RDA’s facilities. The final vehicle in this batch is anticipated to be delivered by January 2030.

 

 

The Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier stands as a unique addition to the Bundeswehr’s arsenal, procured independently of the European OCCAR and the Boxer joint venture ARTEC. It draws from the design of the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), a collaborative effort between Rheinmetall and the Australian armed forces. Armed with the advanced Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon and complemented by a 7.62 mm turret machine gun, the vehicle promises effective engagement of threats at considerable distances. The addition of the MELLS anti-tank guided missile system, a product of collaboration between Rheinmetall and Eurospike, further enhances its combat capabilities, enabling it to target armored threats up to 4,000 meters away.

 

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