Tag Archives: Boxer

Ground Forces

Sharp spikes

The Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Defence, today confirmed that the Rafael Spike LR2 missile will be the anti-tank guided missile that will arm the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle.

A Rheinmetall Lance turret, seen here fitted to a Puma IFV but which will also be fitted to Australia’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, fires a Spike LR anti-tank missile during German army trials (Rafael photo)
A Rheinmetall Lance turret, seen here fitted to a Puma IFV but which will also be fitted to Australia’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, fires a Spike LR anti-tank missile during German army trials (Rafael photo)

Under project Land 400 Phase 2, Defence will acquire 211 Rheinmetall Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles which will provide vital mobility, lethality and protection for the Australian Army. The Boxer will be manufactured in Queensland, creating up to 1450 jobs across the supply chain.

The Spike was selected after an independent comparative evaluation of potential missile options for the vehicle was conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Group. The missile will offer long range, light weight, high resistance to countermeasures and higher technical maturity in the anti-tank role.

«The Spike missile is the best anti-tank guided missile for the Boxer», said Minister Payne. «It will give the Boxer the range and lethality it needs to fight and win the land battle».

Varley Rafael Australia has committed to building the Spike LR2 in Australia, employing up to 70 Australians directly with hundreds more in the supply chain.

«This commitment by Varley Rafael Australia is a great vote of confidence in Australian industry, and will bring jobs and high-tech knowledge to Australia’s defence industry», said Minister Pyne.

Coming soon after the contract signing with Rheinmetall for the acquisition of the Boxer, this is the next step in delivering Australia’s future land combat capability.

Ground Forces

Combat Vehicle

The Australian Government has announced that the next generation of Army’s combat reconnaissance vehicles will be built by Rheinmetall.

An Australian Army Rheinmetall Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle on display during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal training area, Victoria, on 16 May 2018
An Australian Army Rheinmetall Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle on display during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal training area, Victoria, on 16 May 2018

The armoured vehicles will deliver improved firepower, protection, mobility and communication systems to ensure our soldiers can fight, win and survive while operating in an ever-changing threat environment.

Army’s next generation of fighting vehicle will be more capable than any other vehicle Army has operated. These vehicles will have digital warfare and information networking capabilities that will provide operational commanders with advanced knowledge and understanding of the battlefield.

This bigger and better protected armoured fighting vehicle will provide Australian troops with increased firepower and protection on the battlefield in the decades ahead.

The Department of Defence completed a comprehensive tender process over three years, during which the vehicles were rigorously and extensively tested across Australia.

The process was designed to secure the best outcome for Defence. Rheinmetall’s Boxer was assessed as the most capable vehicle for Australia.

As part of the LAND 400 Phase 2 project Rheinmetall will deliver 211 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles with the first vehicles ready for training in 2020.

Rheinmetall’s Boxer will replace Army’s current reconnaissance vehicle, the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) that has been in service since 1996 and seen extensive operational service.

Ground Forces

Lithuanian Boxer

According to Agence France Presse, Lithuania said on December 11 it would buy 88 German-made armoured fighting vehicles in its biggest-ever military purchase amid concerns over neighbouring Russia. «We have come to the unequivocal opinion to choose and acquire the Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV)», said Lithuania’s defence chief Jonas Vytautas Zukas.

Lithuania has decided to order the Boxer heavy wheeled vehicle, in a combat version fitted with a 30-mm turret (Artec GmbH photo)
Lithuania has decided to order the Boxer heavy wheeled vehicle, in a combat version fitted with a 30-mm turret (Artec GmbH photo)

Speaking after a meeting of the State Defence Council, he said the Baltic EU and NATO nation had picked the German-made vehicles out of 12 bids. The first vehicles made by the Artec grouping of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles are expected to arrive in 2017.

Jonas Vytautas Zukas said the price would be disclosed only after the talks with Artec are over, but a government source said the deal could be worth around 400 million euros ($438 million). In its state budget for 2016 approved on Thursday, Lithuania has vowed to raise defence spending by more than a third against this year amid increased concerns over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and military activity in the Baltic area.

In September, Lithuania signed a 16-million-euro deal to buy 21 used self-propelled howitzers from Germany. The United States has meanwhile deployed some military equipment in Lithuania, including its Abrams battle tanks.

The three Baltic States and Poland have also called for a permanent NATO presence in the region to deter Russia but the allies have so far stuck to back-to-back troop rotations.

In addition to the outstanding surveillance system, the Boxer is equipped with the remote-controlled light weapon station 200 (FLW 200)
In addition to the outstanding surveillance system, the Boxer is equipped with the remote-controlled light weapon station 200 (FLW 200)

 

TECHNICAL DATA

Combat Weight Maximum 77,162 lbs/35,000 kg
Crew 3
Engine Power 711 hp/530 kW
Maximum Speed > 62 mph/100 km/h
Length 27.33 feet/8.33 m
Width 9.81 feet/2.99 m
Height (roof) > 9.65 feet/2.94 m
Basic protection All around anti-tank mines and anti-personnel landmines, heavy machine gun and artillery fragments
Additional protection Medium caliber, bomblets
Armament 30-mm gun