All The Gen On The Boxer Military Vehicle

What is the Boxer armoured vehicle?

The Boxer is set to become the new British Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) and is an 8x8 wheeled, all-terrain, armoured transport vehicle. 

Its unique and flexible 'Mission Module' architecture can be configured in multiple formats and changed in less than an hour in the field ensuring it can be deployed rapidly in a variety of roles across different operational environments.

To date, there are 15 different mission modules available enabling a spectrum of usage ranging from group transportation to a fully automatic, heavy artillery platform.

Delivery is due to begin at the end of 2022 with the first vehicles scheduled to be ready for service in 2023. 

How is the Boxer made?

The BOXER is constructed out of all-welded steel armour, with a top layer of composite armour that incorporates an unprecedented amount of ballistic, mine and IED protection (exact levels are classified).

What are the Boxer's key features?

• Protection
• Payload
• Performance
• Modularity   

What are the Boxer's specifications?

Weighing up to 38.5 tonnes, it is 26ft in length, almost 10ft wide and can reach speeds of up to 70mph on roads, meaning it can follow any modern battle tank over any terrain.

It has an 800bhp Power Pack with an MTU Engine.

The BOXER has a full-time all-wheel drive with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat inserts fitted which allow about 100km of driving.

The seating arrangements, racks and shelves in the vehicles are flexible and can be added or removed without tools.

The platform/drive line has the driver front right and power pack on the left and the power pack (engine) can be changed in 20 minutes.

Watch: In 2019, we took a closer look at what the Boxer could be like by 2023.

How many of the vehicles will the British Army have?

The Ministry of Defence has ordered 508 vehicles and 15 training vehicles which are expected in service by mid-2023.

Which variants of Boxer will the UK use?

The variants on order include the Command Variant, Specialist Vehicle, Infantry Carrier and Ambulance.

Because of its unique design, the BOXER is highly customisable and can be configured quickly to suit different operational requirements.

Where can the Boxer operate?

The BOXER is designed to be capable of operating in extreme environmental temperatures.

The vehicles have air conditioning and NBC protection systems to detect and counter threats (radar, noise, solar loading) as well as a 360° Situational Awareness System.

Which countries are using the vehicle?

The Boxer was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 by the German Army in the roles of Armoured Personnel Carrier, Ambulance and Command Post and were praised for their reliability, mobility and protection.

Since then, the Royal Netherlands Army, the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Australian Army have all taken delivery of Boxer variants and has been selected by the Slovenian Armed Forces.

It is thought that a standardised vehicle across multinational deployments will aid interoperaibility between partner nations.

Which weapons systems can the Boxer use?

There are a huge variety of module options available and can have remote weapon stations fitted with Smoke-Grenade Launcher and Anti-Tank Guided Missile.

Multiple fire-control systems can be used (allowing stationary and moving targets to be engaged), laser rangefinders, thermal imagers, CCTV cameras and ECM jammers.  

The fully-automated Artillery Gun Module can hold a Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm (RCH 155) capable of firing up to eight rounds per minute to a range of up to 40 km with standard ammunition (56km with Very Long range Artillery Projectiles (VLAP).

The Rheinmetall Lance 30mm two-man turret features 360-degree electric rotation with a -15 to +45 degree weapon elevation (there is also an unmanned turret option or an air defence system turret).

The BOXER is a co-operative European design project and has been in the pipeline for many years. Originally a joint venture between Germany, Britain and France, the first contract was awarded in 1999 for eight prototype vehicles.

The Netherlands joined, while France and UK withdrew, and the first Dutch prototype was delivered in 2003. (One of the concerns for the UK was the weight consideration for transport by the RAF).

The UK rejoined the BOXER programme in March 2018 and deals were signed to ensure at least 60% of the production and assembly will be carried out in the UK.

The BOXER was among the exhibits at the 2019 Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition at ExCel London in September.

In June 2021, production on the British Army's prototype for Boxer began in Germany.