Australia contributes to design of new Boxer armored vehicle.

In a pioneering collaboration at the Rheinmetall site in Unterluss, Germany, Australian soldiers from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) (2/14 LHR [QMI]) actively participated in the testing and development of the latest version of the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV). The Boxer CRV Block II, with deliveries starting this year, directly benefited from the contributions of the soldiers who will operate it, marking a significant milestone in the design and functionality of military equipment.
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Australian soldiers participated in the testing and development of the latest version of the Boxer (Picture source: Australian DoD)

At the end of last year, Sergeant Chris Hughes, Lance Corporal Ben Crawford, and Trooper Liam Skinner were involved in rigorous testing of the vehicle's advanced features under extreme weather conditions. This included firing the MK30-2 cannon and the MAG58 machine gun, as well as evaluating the new programmable munitions capability.

A central focus of their mission was the Boxer Block II's Lance 2.0 turret, where they tested 30mm training and programmable rounds. The crew also received briefings on the Block II vehicle design, which includes enhanced combat intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance systems, and weapon control systems, reflecting a significant evolution from the Block I vehicles.

The Boxer CRV Block II is an advanced version of the combat reconnaissance vehicle designed to meet the modern military's needs for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat capability. This evolution of the Boxer CRV is the result of close collaboration between Australia and Germany, aimed at providing a highly mobile, modular, and adaptable armored vehicle for various battlefield missions.

The uniqueness of the Boxer CRV Block II lies in its modular design, allowing for the addition or modification of modules based on the specific needs of the mission. This vehicle is equipped with an improved Lance 2.0 turret, capable of firing programmable munitions as well as standard 30mm shells. Additionally, the Boxer Block II integrates advanced reconnaissance and surveillance systems, significantly increasing the crew's situational awareness and ability to accurately detect and engage targets.

Feedback from soldiers, based on their practical experience with the previous version, was crucial in designing the new model. This includes improvements in crew safety, highlighted by the introduction of an emergency evacuation hatch for the driver, a feature that Trooper Skinner found particularly reassuring.

The soldiers' involvement extended beyond testing to participate in a working group with Rheinmetall in Kassel, aiming to explore future design improvements for the Boxer, such as integrating an active protection system. They were also briefed on the ballistic and blast testing programs conducted in Germany and Australia, gaining insights into the rigorous safety and performance standards the vehicle must meet.

Lance Corporal Crawford expressed the value of seeing firsthand the impact of their feedback on the Boxer's design, especially regarding the operation of weapon systems. Sergeant Hughes was impressed by the new electronic systems that provide a situational awareness advantage on the battlefield, emphasizing the strategic importance of the combat intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system equipped in the Boxer CRVs.

The Australian Army, which received 25 Boxers Block I between 2019 and 2021 as an interim cavalry capability, is set to enhance its armored fleet with the addition of 186 Block II vehicles. This initiative reflects a commitment to leveraging soldier experience to develop more effective, safer, and technologically advanced combat vehicles for future operations.