Australian Department for Defence had signed contracts with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to deliver and support 211 Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) for the Australian Army. This is a significant Army capability that will enhance the safety, security and protection of Australian troops for the next 30 years. The Boxer 8×8 CRV will replace the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, which has seen extensive operational service since its introduction in 1996. On 24 September 2019, Rheinmetall Defence Australia delivered the first Boxer 8×8 CRV to the Commonwealth. Final vehicle deliveries are expected in 2026.
The Australian Army Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles will operate in a range of environments, from regional stability missions through to high-threat operations against adversaries. The high levels of protection, firepower and mobility provided by the vehicles will enable sustained operations, varying from peacekeeping to close combat.Rheinmetall will base its Australian and New Zealand headquarters as well as its manufacturing hub in South East Queensland and is now establishing contracts with its major Australian sub-contractors.
Some early vehicles will be initially assembled in Germany as a part of technology transfer activities which will familiarise Australian workers and suppliers on manufacturing techniques of these highly complex vehicles. A Resident Project Office has been established in Hamburg, Germany, to support the initial delivery of the capability. These vehicles will be shipped to Australia for final assembly. After this initial phase, vehicles will be fully assembled in Australia.
The Australian workforce involved in the construction of the vehicles will be used to support sustainment, progressive development and upgrades to the Boxer. They will also be used to support potential export opportunities.The Australian Industry Capability level for this project is over 65 per cent, with an expected $10.2 billion, 30 year investment in Australian industry over the life of the project. LAND 400 Phase 2 is expected to generate approximately 1,450 jobs across Australia during the construction of the vehicles.
The Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) will be equipped with:
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system – Rafael Spike LR.
Remote Weapon System (RWS) – Kongsberg (Block I Vehicles), EOS (Block II).
Active Protection System (APS) – TBC, feasibility study underway.
The Boxer is a multirole armoured fighting vehicle designed by an international consortium to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. The nations participating in the Boxer program have changed as the program has developed. The Boxer vehicle is produced by the ARTEC GmbH (armoured vehicle technology) industrial group, and the programme is being managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation).A distinctive and unique feature of the vehicle is its composition of a drive platform module and interchangeable mission modules which allow several configurations to meet different operational requirements.
