Heavy infantry gun carrier replaces Wiesel

03/21/2024By Redaktion

BAAINBw Procurement Boxer Bundeswehr

In a digital "signing ceremony," the procurement of a total of 123 new "Heavy Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles" (sWaTrg Inf) was agreed upon today. Following yesterday's approval by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag, the so-called Government-to-Government contract between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Australian government was signed.

To deliver the armored vehicles, Australia will enter into a corresponding production contract with the manufacturer Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA). The Boxer vehicles sWaTrg Inf will be produced by RDA using the production capacities at the "Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence" in Redbank, Queensland.

Another support contract will be signed between the Procurement Office of the Bundeswehr and Rheinmetall Landsysteme (RLS), which serves to support in usage and includes an availability guarantee.

The contract for the heavy armored infantry fighting vehicle is framed by a four-party agreement that regulates various subjects between all parties involved, including warranty. The project is financed from the Bundeswehr Special Fund.

This initiative embodies the impressive level of cooperation and innovation with the Australian government as a close security partner. The Government-to-Government contract enables Germany to quickly procure market-available material with full fulfillment of requirements to enter into the Medium Forces of the Army.

The project will be realized based on the Australian Boxer variant "Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle - RECON II," which was developed there in its own project "LAND 400 Phase 2". This system consists of a Boxer vehicle module and a specific mission module with a manned turret. The basic configuration of the vehicle allows for the rapid deployment of another variant in the BOXER product family and medium-term supply through the existing logistical system of the Bundeswehr. Additional training can also be significantly reduced. At the same time, the purchase of market-available vehicles in Australia ensures the fastest possible equipment of the Medium Forces of the Army.

The wheeled armored vehicle, as a successor system of the Wiesel 1 armoured fighting vehicle, provides direct tactical fire support and long-range anti-tank capabilities for the infantry units of the Bundeswehr.

It combines the capabilities of two previous Wiesel 1 variants, as well as additional vehicles used for ammunition transport, into one platform and represents an ideal mix of high availability, protection, and modularity. The weapon system also enables steps towards Medium Forces independent of other nations in the short term, and thus the urgently needed interoperability with allies in the medium term.

A first reference vehicle for verification purposes is expected to be available by the end of this half-year. A total of 123 heavy armored infantry fighting vehicles will be delivered to Germany. The first 19 serial vehicles are expected to be delivered by 2025. The remaining 103 vehicles are expected to be delivered by 2030. Learn all about Boxer at Rheinmetall.

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