UK Defence Ministry Inks €2.6 Billion Deal for 500+ Boxer Vehicles

Major Contract for 500 Boxer Armoured Vehicles Signed with UK MoD

The Artec consortium, led by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), has secured a significant contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to manufacture over 500 Boxer 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicles for the British Army. The total value of this substantial order is approximately €2.6 billion (£2.3 billion).

This landmark contract was awarded to Artec through the European procurement agency, Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).

As part of the UK’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) procurement programme, this contract encompasses more than 500 vehicles. Artec is set to subcontract 50% of the order to both Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. With more than 1,400 Boxer vehicles either already delivered or currently on order, this expands the operational capabilities of the British Army significantly.

The Boxer vehicles will be provided in a variety of configurations, including armoured personnel carriers, command vehicles, specialist carriers, and field ambulances. The initial deliveries are expected to commence in 2023.

Production will primarily take place within the UK, ensuring the creation and maintenance of a significant number of British jobs. While full-scale production will begin in Germany, a remarkable 90% of the Boxer vehicles designated for the British Army will be manufactured in the UK, mainly at facilities run by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and KMW’s subsidiary WFEL.

This contract signifies the UK’s reintegration into a European defence initiative, having been involved in the Boxer project since its inception. The Boxer is on track to become a standard vehicle for NATO forces.

The Versatile Modular Vehicle

The Boxer is an advanced, protective 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle. Its modular design allows for an unparalleled range of operational configurations compared to other vehicle systems. Currently, around 700 vehicles in twelve different variants are being ordered from three NATO nations: Germany, the Netherlands, and Lithuania. Additionally, Australia has placed an order for 211 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) in seven different variants, with the first units recently delivered.

Established in 1999, Artec GmbH is a joint venture involving Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinmetall Military Vehicles GmbH, and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. The company oversees the serial production of the Boxer and acts as the primary contact for export inquiries.