Katherine Ziesing | Canberra
The German Bundeswehr is purchasing another 131 Boxers, to complement the initial 2006 buy of 272 platforms, with the final vehicles in this buy due for delivery in March next year.
The €476 million contract with Krauss-Maffei Wegman/Rheinmetall joint venture, Artec, is due to deliver this tranche of vehicles between 2017 and 2020. All 131 vehicles and related logistic deliveries will be in a new configuration of the Armoured Personnel Carrier (Gepanzertes Transportfahrzeug).
The Netherlands is also a partner in the cross-border Boxer program, having ordered a total of 200 vehicles, including, in this case, a combat engineering configuration and an additional transport version. Lithuania has also purchased the combat proven platform.
Thanks to its composite add-on armour, the Boxer is one of the world’s best-protected 8x8 tactical vehicles.
This wheeled armoured vehicle assures excellent protection from landmines, improvised explosive devices and ballistic fire, coupled with outstanding mobility both on and off road, even in the toughest terrain.
Powered by a 530 kW (720 HP) MTU turbo diesel engine, the Boxer – weighing up to 36.5 tonnes with a full combat load – attains a top speed of 103 km/h.
Featuring separate drive and mission modules, the Boxer design concept assures maximum flexibility and versatility. In the section/squad APC configuration, the Boxer serves as a ‘mother ship’ for up to 10 troops.
It is equipped with a remotely operated FLW 200 light weapon station featuring a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
The German Boxer has seen service in Afghanistan, first deployed in 2011. This combat proven effectiveness is a key requirement for the in service and MOTS aspects of the Australian Land 400 Phase 2 program.
Bids went in the box for Land 400 in September with a down select due in 2016 for a testing program in Australia.