Soldiers of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) test the Army’s new Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle on the beach during Exercise Sea Wader at Cowley Beach Training Area. Credit: Trooper Jonathan Goedhart.

The Australian Army has completed a series of beach trials with the new Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRVs) during amphibious operations.

During Exercise Sea Wader 2020, a trained vehicle crew from the 2nd / 14th Light Horse Regiment (2/14LHR) deployed to Cowley Beach Training Area joined the Amphibious Task Group to operate the vehicle.

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According to the Australian Department of Defence, the Boxer CRV outperformed expectations.

2/14LHR commanding officer squadron major Ed Keating said: “The vehicle provides a real fighting capability that’s not only going to be the most capable cavalry vehicle in the world, but set the conditions for further modernisation projects.

“From what we’ve seen, I’m confident the Boxer CRV can be deployed just about anywhere in the world. The way it was able to manoeuvre on the beach was impressive.”

In trials, the vehicle was able to drive through the shore without support despite attempts by the crew to bog the LRV in loose sand.

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Keating added: “It’s got a lot of power and made short work of the beach, and it wasn’t even being used to its maximum capability. It’s an extremely impressive and capable vehicle.”

The Boxer CRV can be deployed anywhere to undertake combat missions, as well as humanitarian and disaster-relief operations.

Currently, the crew is training with the vehicle to use as a deployable capability.

The Exercise Sea Wader was designed to hone the Australian Army’s skills for humanitarian aid and disaster-relief tasks.

Personnel also undertook training in amphibious combat operations.

The Australian Army is slated to induct 211 Boxer 8×8 CRVs under the government’s LAND 400 Phase 2 programme to replace older units.

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