Army Awards £180m Deal For Boxer Remote Weapon System
The new sub-contract means Thales Defence will provide an advanced weapons system for the next generation of Boxer armoured vehicle.
The British Army has announced it has awarded a £180m sub-contract to Thales Defence to provide a Remote Weapon System for the next generation of Boxer armoured vehicle.
The system will provide enhanced stabilisation on the move improving first hit probability, while also allowing soldiers to view targets on a screen inside the vehicle, adding extra protection.
As part of the new additions, the upgrade will include the Acusonic Shot Detection System, designed to accurately sense and report the direction of incoming enemy fire.
This system should provide soldiers crewing the vehicle in combat the critical situational awareness to react to threats.
The announcement means 700 existing jobs at Thales’ facility in Glasgow will be protected, a further 25 positions will be created and 30 extra apprenticeships will be supported.
The UK decided to re-join the Boxer programme in 2018 and since then has committed £2.8bn to deliver more than 500 vehicles to the British Army.
The first of those vehicles is scheduled to be ready for service in 2023.
Earlier this year it was announced a company based in South Wales will provide electronic components for the British Army's next-generation armoured fighting vehicles.
The Boxer fleet will be fitted with rugged electronics, such as Crewstation PCs, servers and ethernet switches, from Cardiff-based MilDef.
Cover image: The Boxer armoured vehicle (Picture: British Army).