Rheinmetall Enhances 27 Boxer Command Vehicles for German Armed Forces Upgrade
Rheinmetall is in the process of upgrading an additional 27 Boxer command vehicles of the Bundeswehr to the cutting-edge A2 standard. The German Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) granted the contract in late January 2021. These 27 units are set to undergo enhancements at the Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH facility in Kassel, recognized as Rheinmetall’s hub of excellence for tactical wheeled vehicles. Upgrade operations are scheduled to commence in March 2021, with the return of the vehicles to the Bundeswehr expected between 2022 and 2024. This order holds a value in the lower two-digit million-euro range for Rheinmetall.
The Boxer command vehicle, also referred to as FüFz in German military terminology, represents one of four versions of the established, high-mobility Boxer armored transport vehicle currently deployed by the Bundeswehr. The FüFz is integrated into mechanized units, functioning as a mobile tactical operations center or command post. These vehicles boast a comprehensive array of radio technologies and sophisticated C4I systems.
The transition to A2 status involves a broad spectrum of enhancement initiatives, which include (but are not limited to) the operator’s visualization system, exhaust emission and air-conditioning ducts, towing apparatus, driver’s workstation, headlight innovations, alongside software and system security upgrades. Additionally, the vehicle’s satellite communication capabilities, voice and data transmission, and IT infrastructure will all see significant enhancements.
Now officially confirmed, the latest order acts as a continuation of the A2 modernization effort for the initial batch of 38 Boxer command vehicles that began in 2017. This ongoing combat capability enhancement for the second batch will guarantee that the complete fleet of 65 Boxer command vehicles within the Bundeswehr meets the latest standards in tactical and technical excellence.
