This is the "Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle"

03/22/2024By Redaktion

Beschaffung Boxer Bundeswehr Deutschland

The German Armed Forces will procure up to 123 Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicles (sWaTrg Inf). The contract value is approximately 2.7 billion EUR, including service provisions. Delivery is expected to begin in 2025.

The Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle serves as a replacement for the tracked vehicle Wiesel for direct tactical fire support of infantry units. It is also a core element of the new force category of the German Army, the "Medium Forces." These units are characterized by their rapid deployment capability over long distances, contributing to credible national and alliance defense.

The Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle is based on the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), the wheeled reconnaissance vehicle of the Australian Armed Forces, also supplied by Rheinmetall. It is a proven 8x8 combat vehicle with a wheeled reconnaissance vehicle mission module including the two-man turret Lance. Its main weapon is the MK30-2 ABM cannon, also used in the German infantry fighting vehicle Puma. Additionally, it is equipped with the multi-role light antitank weapon system (MELLS), enabling the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle for anti-tank capabilities.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, stated: "We are very proud to be able to deliver a key element for the new force category of the German Army, the 'Medium Forces,' with the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle. In order to provide the Army with the required combat vehicles as quickly as possible, we are integrating not only our German but also Australian locations in our Rheinmetall network."

The vehicles intended for the Bundeswehr will be produced in bulk using the production capacities of the state-of-the-art Rheinmetall Military Vehicle Competence Center (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland, in the southeastern part of Australia – along with the wheeled reconnaissance vehicles produced for the Australian Armed Forces.

In 2023, a comprehensive German-Australian cooperation was initiated. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to a corresponding basic agreement in Berlin in July 2023 during a visit to Germany. A declaration of cooperation had previously been signed on March 23, 2023, in Canberra by the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP, and the German Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence, Thomas Hitschler. This sets the basis for further contractual arrangements between the Australian and German Ministries of Defence, as well as Rheinmetall.

John Abunassar, Head of the Rheinmetall Division Vehicle Systems, highlighted the similarities between the Australian and planned German Boxer vehicles and the trust placed by the two allies in Rheinmetall. "The Bundeswehr's Boxer, which is partly supposed to be built in MILVEHCOE, follows the design of the successful Australian Boxer wheeled reconnaissance vehicle. This would be one of the largest Australian arms exports in the country's history and supports Rheinmetall's goal of further expanding the capabilities of the Australian defence industry and integrating it into the company's global supply chains."

"In Australia, Rheinmetall has more than 900 employees, high-tech capabilities, and an established production facility in Redbank producing vehicles, tanks, and electronics. Our Australian and global supply chain will grow, bringing prosperity to small and medium-sized businesses as we receive new orders that complement existing export programs. We welcome the close defence industry partnership between Australia and Germany as the two nations work together to enhance global security," added Nathan Poyner, CEO of Rheinmetall Defence Australia.

The Boxer is a modern, armored 8x8 vehicle in use or procurement around the world by different armed forces. The Boxer provides increased safety and protection for crews and offers high levels of firepower and mobility for sustained operations in peacekeeping missions as well as in near-peer conflict scenarios.

In Australia, Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Armed Forces. In addition to the 211 Boxer vehicles delivered as part of the Land 400 Phase 2 project – including 133 in the CRV variant with the manned Lance turret – the company also supports the HX fleet of the Australian Armed Forces, which comprises over 2900 vehicles. Rheinmetall also delivers the Multi-Ammunition Soft-Kill System to the Royal Australian Navy, operates training systems for the armed forces, and has delivered over 200 HX trucks to the New Zealand Defence Force. All about Boxer at Rheinmetall.

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