One of the newest capabilities of the Australian Defence Force has made its international debut at a training ground in Singapore. Two Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRVs) were among the equipment embarked with the Australian Amphibious Force (AAF) in HMAS Adelaide during Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Australian Army soldiers put the combat vehicles to work during several days of training at Singapore’s Murai Urban training facility. The Australian Defence Force acquired the Boxer in 2019 and the vehicles reached initial operational capability on schedule in mid-October. In Australian service the Boxer will replace the Australian Army’s ageing fleet of 257 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV).
Captain Rankin said,”Using the leading-edge training facility helped the troops gain even more hands-on experience with the Boxer. It enables us to conduct a wide variety and an increased complexity of tasks, and tests our ability to conduct activities in different regions around the world.”
Australian Amphibious Force’s Commander Landing Forces, Colonel Doug Pashley said,”It was energising to deploy the Boxer capability abroad. These are the world’s best platforms, and our people are fortunate to have the unique opportunity to work with the Boxers in Singapore to give them another perspective and broader hands-on training.”
Troop leader Captain Stefano Rankin said,”Training at the Murai facility provided soldiers opportunities to work in unfamiliar terrain and build on the complexity of training exercises. The purpose of the training we’re conducting here in Singapore is to test the integration of armour – being Boxer – and infantry with the joint pre-landing force and the ground combat element, and exercise our ability to conduct urban operations. It’s the first time the vehicles have been deployed overseas and it showcases our capacity to deploy for contingency reasons within our region.”
RDA’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Brisbane, Queensland, will be the hub for the production of the majority of the vehicles, the local build programme including about 40 local suppliers. These industrial opportunities will create up to 1,450 jobs across Australia, The acquisition and sustainment of the vehicles is costed at AUD15.7 billion (US$12.2 billion), acquisition worth AUD5.2 billion, the remaining AUD10.5 billion costed for sustainment over the vehicles’ 30-year life. Rheinmetall will deliver 211 Boxer to the Australian Army under and in service Boxer will fill seven different roles on the battlefield: reconnaissance, command and control, joint fires, surveillance, multi-purpose, battlefield repair and recovery.
