Armoured MIV BOXER manufacture drives UK jobs and prosperity.

Leading British companies in the defence sector BAE Systems, Pearson Engineering and Thales UK have signed agreements with the ARTEC consortium as partners for the production of BOXER.

MARV Boxer at DSEI 2017 Defence Exhibition in UK (Picture source:  Army Recognition)

Leading British companies in the defence sector BAE Systems, Pearson Engineering and Thales UK have signed agreements with the ARTEC consortium as partners for the production of BOXER.

Should the armoured wheeled vehicle be selected as the British Army’s next generation Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV), at least 60% of BOXER’s value creation and 100% of final assembly will take place in Britain.

To ensure the best value to the British tax payer, ARTEC has defined a competitive process for the main partners and their supply chains to follow. ARTEC’s investment in the UK value chain is estimated to secure or create at least 1,000 jobs all across the country. The UK partnership approach will ensure that British companies are fully embedded in the MIV supply chain. Rolls Royce, ParkerHannifin, WFEL and British subsidiaries of the ARTEC parent companies will also supply British content. Further, Rheinmetall intends to establish a modern production and integration centre for armoured vehicles in the UK as part of the programme. This represents a significant commitment from Rheinmetall which will lead to long-lasting armoured vehicle capability in the UK.

The UK played a major role in the design, development and testing of BOXER from 1999 to 2004. Upon acquisition, the UK would reassume the rights which it had as the original project partner. This would allow BOXER to be exported from the UK. BOXER is proven against all key requirements of the British Army. Its high mobility, wide range of capabilities and maximum protection for the soldiers who operate it make it an ideal solution for UK operations. With around 700 vehicles delivered or under procurement, it is increasingly setting the standard for vehicles of its class among the European NATO states.

Developed by Rheinmetall in cooperation with other leading defence partners, the Boxer MRAV is one of the world’s most advanced 8x8 wheeled tactical vehicles. Extremely well protected yet highly mobile, the Boxer vehicle family is already in service with the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands and is on order in Lithuania, while the Australian Defence Forces have recently completed a series of extensive trials prior to a procurement decision. Moreover, the Boxer has already proven itself on deployed operations with the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan. This makes it a strong contender for the UK’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme. Rheinmetall is showcasing the Boxer at DSEI 2017, emphasising the ways the vehicle can be included in network-enabled operations.

Thanks to its add-on composite armour, the Boxer is the world’s best protected 8x8 vehicles. It is highly mobile, whether on the road or on the toughest terrain. Owing to its 710 HP-MTU turbo diesel engine, the Boxer can achieve a top speed of 103 km/h with a full combat load of 36.5 tonnes. As an option, a 38.5 tonnes combat load configuration with a 800 HP MTU engine is also available. The latest version of the vehicle, the Boxer A2, encompasses numerous improvements in both the chassis and mission modules.