• Pan-European OCCAR organisation cements €4.5bn Boxer agreement for Germany and the Netherlands
• Deal will include production of 222 Schakal IFV variants, which sees the incorporation of an 30mm gun turret onto the Boxer
• Germany to also receive upgraded driver training and ambulance Boxer variants, as European countries continue commonality push

Germany and the Netherlands will be the central customers for the new Boxer infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variant in a multi-billion-euro investment, with more than 200 of the new IFV to be produced.

In a 17 October announcement at OCCAR-EA’s Bonn headquarters, the €4.5bn ($5.25bn) deal, which sees the overall value of investment into the OCCAR-managed Boxer programme to over €10bn, will deliver a total of 222 Boxer Schakal IFVs developed for Germany and the Netherlands.

The Schakal IFV incorporates the Puma RCT30 uncrewed turret onto the standard Boxer hull form, providing a capable soft target kill capability at distances of up to 1.5km.

The additional investment will also see driver training and ambulance Boxer variants produced for Germany, which will include a package of upgrades to the German Army’s boxer ambulance fleet aimed at improving battlefield medical support.

OCCAR said the twin agreements also provide initial in-service support and also further the development of the next-generation Boxer drive module, which will be the standard drive system for all Boxer participatory states.

European militaries focusing on commonality

Much has been written of the Boxer IFV variant in recent months as increased standardisation across Europe continues apace through platforms like the CV90 AFV, Boxer APC, and the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS).

The Boxer in particular is showing the benefits of having a flexible platform as a base on which to incorporate multiple different mission modules, over and above the usual engineering, C2, or ambulance variants, with the Schakal IFV and others in the works, such as the RCH155 artillery.

Indeed, European militaries are analysing lessons from the Ukraine-Russia war, which has brought about a new era of battlefield operations, with an increased emphasis on mobility.

A further benefit in common base platforms to accommodate multiple different mission types is in the ease of logistics and maintenance requirements.