Boxer for the Aussies

A high-level Australian delegation visited the Rheinmetall site in Kassel as part of the Boxer vehicle program for Australia. The Australian Ambassador to Germany, Lynette Wood, as well as senior representatives of the Australian Defence Force inspected the first Boxer Multipurpose Vehicle that will be delivered to the customer country as part of the Land 400 Phase 2 armament project. The delivery will take place in the coming weeks by sea transport.

Rheinmetall will deliver a total of 211 Boxer vehicles to the Australian Army as part of the Land 400 Phase 2 contract. The first vehicles will be put into operation by the Australian Army later this year.
Gary Stewart, CEO of Rheinmetall Defence Australia: "These first Boxer vehicles will allow the Australian Army to develop training programs for the soldiers stationed in Townsville, Adelaide, and Brisbane who will later use these platforms."

With their Boxer reconnaissance vehicle fleet, the Australian Army can gather intelligence, monitor, and engage hostile forces. The Boxer vehicles also protect Australian soldiers from combat effects. The vehicles will fulfill seven different functions on the battlefield: reconnaissance, command and control, forward observer/fire support, surveillance, multipurpose, repair, and recovery. The Boxer's wheeled reconnaissance vehicle variant—133 of the 211 vehicles—is equipped with Rheinmetall's state-of-the-art Lance turret system with a 30mm machine gun as the main armament.

Upon arrival in Australia, some modifications will be made to these first Boxer vehicles before delivery. These include installing the communication and computer equipment of the Australian Armed Forces, fitting a remotely controlled weapon station, and applying the Australian Army camouflage.
Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Rheinmetall AG Executive Board: "The work on these first vehicles in Germany will help Rheinmetall provide the necessary expertise to establish a sovereign military vehicle industry in Australia and enable the local manufacture of combat vehicles. This will also reinforce the enduring partnership with the Commonwealth of Australia for the development, manufacture, delivery, support, and modernization of this globally leading capability."

The Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle) underwent a rigorous testing process by the Australian Armed Forces. As part of the Australian Land 400 Phase 2 project, the Boxer CRV was selected in 2016 as one of two candidates for troop trials, where the armored 8x8 wheeled vehicle impressed in the categories of survivability, mobility, firepower, and leadership.

RHEINMETALL online: www.rheinmetall.com

Australian Army online: www.army.gov.au