The Artec Boxer is a modular 8×8 Fighting-Vehicle in service with the Dutch, German and Lithuanian Armies.

The Boxer has a unique “Mission Module” capability. The basic vehicle (refered to as “Drive Module”) is the chassis with the forward section containing the engine and Drivers Compartment.

Traditionally refered to as family variants, there are x9 Mission Modules available for the Boxer, which can be installed or removed from the Drive Module within 30 minutes.

This offers complete flexibility and readiness for deployment, reduced operating costs and a reduced price tag.

The concept and design of the Boxer has been proven and qualified by extensive reliability and durability trials (180,000 km) with 12 prototypes in 9 different variants, according to the challenging requirements of Germany and The Netherlands since 2003.

Artec Boxer Development

ARTEC GmbH was founded in the year 1999. It is a Joint Venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and Rheinmetall Military Vehicles Neaderlands.

ARTEC is responsible for the BOXER development programme for Germany and The Netherlands, acting as the prime contractor. ARTEC is further in charge of the co-ordination of series production and is the focal point organisation for any BOXER export cases.

1990 – Major European armed forces need vehicles to face future threats.

1994 – Germany and France establish joint procurement and development study.

1995 – German, British and French governments work in close cooperation.

1996 – Competition between two Franco-German-British consortia.
Competing consortium TEAM International GTK/MRAV/VBCI.
Memorandum of Understanding between GKN, Krauss-Maffei, MaK (now part of Rheinmetall Landsysteme), Wegmann.
Establishment of ARGE GTK/MRAV/VBCI.
Concept studies of a 6×6 and a 8×8 vehicle.

1997 April – ARGE submits offer to German Procurement Agency (BWB).
The Netherlands get the status of an observer of the Programme.

1998 April – ARGE GTK wins the competition.

1999 September – France leaves the Programme.
Foundation of ARTEC.
November – bilateral contract signature.

2000 – The European agency OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperátion en matierè d’ARmament) gets customer for ARTEC.

2001 February – The Netherlands become a full partner in the Programme.
Production start of 1st Boxer prototype.

2002 December – Rollout of the first German BOXER prototype.

2003 BOXER Prototype – ready for trials and tests.
July – UK MOD announces withdrawal from the Programme.

2004 November – Germany and the Netherlands sign bilateral contract.

2005 – Begin of reliability Growth Trials with 3 prototypes.

2006 – Modified Armoured Personnel Carrier GE and Ambulance NL are presented at Eurosartory, Paris.
Modified APC starts trials.
December – Series Contract Signature.

2007 – Command Post GE modified starts trials.
Production start for 1st Ambulance GE Prototype.

2008 – Reliability Growth Trails after some 90,000 km successful finished.
Production starts for 1st Series vehicle.

2009 September 23rd – Rollout of the first BOXER Series Vehicle.

Protection

The Boxer is designed to offer the maximum levels of protection against conventional and unconventional threats through its modular components. The use of a Drive Module and Mission Module in the Boxers design, creates a multi-layer floor and safety cell, for improved protection against IED/Mine attacks.

Just like the Patra AMV, the Boxer is a welded steel construction with sections of modular armor along the hull sides and front. The turret can be fitted with modular armor for enhanced protection if and when required.

These modular sections consist of external mounting points where ceramic passive armored plates are attached. These can be easily removed and replaced quickly on the battlefield if damaged.

The modular armor enables the Boxers protection to be upgraded (mission dependant) from Level 1 (7.62mm) to Level 6? (30mm AP) of STANAG 4569. The passive armor is normally mounted a few centimeters away from the hulls surface.

Additional safety features include; the ready-to-fire 200 rounds of 30x173mm ammunition are kept outside of the turret’s crew compartment and all flammable liquid tanks are externally mounted of the main hull.

The crew are protected with internal spall liners and safety cells. The Boxer also features stealth-like technology for reducing Infa-Red and radar signatures. This was achieved through the use of decoupled and actively cooled plates on the front of the vehicle and the careful consideration of engine cooling.

Optional Rheinmetall systems include: Situational Awareness Systems (SAS), Laser Warning and the Rheinmetall “Rosy” smoke/obscurant protection system, which renders the vehicle invisible in the event of an attack (Soft-Kill Active Protection). None of these optional equipment are in service with the German Army, nor the Royal Netherlands Army (Dutch).

Mobility

The Boxer was designed to keep pace with the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank (Leopard 2A6) off-road, which is in service with both Germany and the Netherlands. This requirement is met when at full combat weight and whilst in extreme environments.

The  Boxer is powered by a V8, 720hp diesel engine and features independent suspension, offering future growth potential in the vehicles payload capability without loss of mobility.

The Boxer has a permanent 8×8 drive, central tyre inflation system and 27 inch run flat tyres.

Firepower

The vehicles Fighting Vehicle Mission Module, allows the mounting of various manned or remote medium turrets. Other Mission Modules can be fitted with a Remote Weapon Stations for self-defence. These can be fitted with 7.62mm Machine Guns or grenade launcher.

Artec Boxer Mission Models (Variants)

Listed below are the known Mission Models marketed by Artec, as well as those known to be in service or developed by either KMW and Rheinmetall featuring their own turret systems for the export market.

Artec Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Model Page: Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

The Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle transports x8 infantry and features a modular turret armed commonly with a 30mm auto-cannon. This provides the infantry with potent fire support to engage enemy fighting vehicles, low flying attack helicopters or entrenched infantry. The Boxer IFV has been seen with x3 different remote turret systems.

The vehicle features an advanced command, control, communications, & intelligence (C3I) systems. Each infantryman has an interface providing information from the C31 systems. He also has his own electrical power supply.

The basic armor offers complete 360 degree protection against 14.5mm AP ammunition and mine protection as well as unspecified protection against air-launched bomblets.

Artec Boxer Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

The Boxer APC has a x3 crew and transports x8 fully equipped infantry. 125 were initially ordered by the German Army and has been deployed with German Forces as part of ISAF in the Afghanistan War. The APC version has a FLW-200 Remote Weapon Station, which is commonly fitted with either a 7.62mm MG3 machine gun or 12.7mm M3M HMG or 40mm GMW automatic grenade launcher.

The Boxer APC as standard is fitted with advanced command, control, communications, & intelligence (C3I) systems. Each infantryman has an interface relaying information from the C3I and commander.

The Boxer APC as standard, offers 360 degree protection against 14.5mm AP ammunition, mine protection and protection from air-born bomblets. This can be increased with more effective modular armor. The Boxer APC level of protection is the same for the other Boxer variants listed below.

Boxer Command Post

The Command Post Mission Module features x3 command crew seats facing a large work station. The vehicle is packed with the latest networking and secured C4I command systems, providing an effective, mobile and protected environment for commanders on the battlefield.

Germany has ordered 65 vehicles under the designation “FuFz”. These will be fit for the IdZ-System (Infantry Soldier Of The Future) and will feature a new modern large monitor in the rear. This will be used by commanders to give other officers and dismounted infantry a real-time and accurate mission brief on a digital map.

The Netherlands have ordered 55 vehicles, which will feature a state-of-the-art C4I architecture. The Boxer Command Post has the same mobility and protection levels as the Boxer APC as well as the FLW-200 Remote Weapon Station. The vehicles crew, is Driver and Commander (who operates the RWS) bringing the total number of crew to x5.

Boxer Ambulance

The Ambulance Mission Module is a high-roofed structure providing 17.5m3 internal space and a floor-to-roof height of 1.85m. It can be used to transport: x7 seated casualties or x3 stretchers casualties or 2 stretcher and x3 seated casualties or 1 stretcher with working space on either side for medics.

72 have been ordered by Germany and 58 by Netherlands.

Boxer Driver Training

The vehicle has a x5 man crew. The driver trainee sits in the normal driver station, with the Instructor and Examiner sitting in the training cabin. 2 other trainee drivers sit in the rear of the vehicle. The training cabin has 360 degree windows and in event of a rollover, the seating is designed to retract into the vehicle to avoid injury’s. Germany ordered 10 vehicles.

Boxer Battle Damage Repair

A specialist Mission Module used to provide diagnostic and field repairs to the Boxer family. It has a x2 man crew, Driver, Commander and x2 Technicians. Storage is provided for all the technicians diagnostic and repair tools.

Boxer Cargo

The Cargo mission module is designed to transport over 2 tonnes of supplies (cargo) across the battlefield to support the Boxer Family. The Netherlands have ordered 27 vehicles. The vehicle has the same mobility and protection levels as the Boxer APC.

Boxer Cargo/C2

The Boxer Cargo/C2 has only been ordered by the Netherlands. The crew is Driver, RWS Gunner, vehicle Commander and x3 Command crew. It serves mainly as a Command Vehicle, but has the flexibility to move the Command crews equipment, to clear a space for the transportation of either 1.5 tonnes of supplies (cargo) or transport stretchered casualties. A total of 19 have been ordered for the Dutch Army.

Boxer Armored Engineer Vehicle

Used to transport x6 combat engineers and their equipment, 41 vehicles have been ordered by the Netherlands. Demolition charges are stored in a separated stowage section for munitions. The vehicle has a x3 crew, Driver, Commander and RWS Gunner.

Boxer Self Propelled Gun

In 2014 it was announced that KMW had successfully installed their Artillery Gun Module (AGM) on the Boxer Drive Module. The AGM features a 155mm (Length 52) artillery Howitzer in an automated turret. The AGM has also been installed on the ASCOD and is known as the DONAR.

Artec Boxer Manufacturers

Each partner of Artec, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, are manufacturers of the Boxer. Both companies list the vehicle and modules on their websites. KMW appear to manufacturer the Boxer for the German Army and Rheinmetall (Rheinmetall Military Vehicles Nederland) appear to manufacturer Boxer for the Dutch Army.

Rheinmetall (Australia) are providing the Boxer CRV currently being trialled in Australia for the Land 400 Phase 2 programme.

Artec Boxer Operators

Germany

A total of x125 APC (GTFz), x65 Command Post (FuFz), x72 Ambulance (sgSanKfz) and x10 Driver Training Vehicle Boxer variants have been ordered for the German Army (totaling 272 vehicles). This order and productions is referred to as the “First Batch”.

A Second Batch order for x131 GTFz was signed on the 18th of December 2015. Artec describes these as having “new configuration”.

In May 2011, the first GTFz were handed over from the German BWB (Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement) to the Heeresamt (Federal German Army Agency).

In July 2011, x5 Boxer GTFz were deployed  with German Forces as part of ISAF in the Afghanistan War.

In August 2011, Artec announced that deliveries of all 4 variants was underway.

In December 2012, the first 6 German Ambulance BOXER (sgSanKfz) have been deployed to AFG. They are supporting the troops with new capabilities and possibilities. By January 2013, 31 Boxer’s were in operation in Northern Afghanistan. x17 GTFz, x8 FüFz and x6 sgSanKfz.These vehicles started to return to Germany in 2014.

By December 2012, a total of 180 BOXER vehicles have been delivered to the German Army. 81 Armoured Personnel Carriers (GTFz), 65 Command Post (FüFz), 13 Ambulances (sgSanKfz) and 10 Driver Training Vehicles.

Lithuania

Model Page: VILKAS Infantry Fighting Vehicle

On the 11th of December 2015, the Boxer was declared the preferred bidder by the Lithuanian State Defence Council for the Lithuanian Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme. On the 22nd of August 2016, OCCAR on behalf of the Republic of Lithuania and ARTEC signed a contract for the procurement of BOXER Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

The contract comprises the delivery of 88 BOXER vehicles in four Infantry Fighting Vehicle versions developed for Lithuania which will be called “VILKAS” within the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The Infantry Fighting Vehicles will be equipped with the SAMSON II Remote Turret by Israeli company Rafael. It features a 30mm auto-cannon and an anti-tank missile launcher.

First Lithuanian Boxer vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2017. The BOXER vehicle will provide the Lithuanian Army on short-term with a state of the art, mechanised infantry capability.

Netherlands

A total of 200 Boxers variants have been ordered for the Dutch Army, which includes 55 Command Post, 58 Ambulances, 27 Boxer Cargo, 19 Cargo/C2 and 8 Driver Training Vehicles.

Deliveries started in August 2013 and is expected to continue well into 2017. The first vehicles (Driver Trainer) was handed over in 2013 followed by the Boxer Ambulance in April 2014, July 2015 the Command Post and in March 2016 the first Cargo Boxer were delivered.

Artec Boxer Trialled

Australia

Model Page: Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)

Project Land 400 is a program being run by the Australian Army that is not only seeking the replacement of current fighting vehicles in service, but to offer vehicles with improved firepower, protection, mobility and communication characteristics.

The Boxer Infantry fighting Vehicle is currently being trialled for the Australian Army In 2015 the “request for Tender” was released by the Australian Ministry Of Defence for Phase 2.

Several defence companies submitted their vehicles for consideration but in July 2016, the Patria/BAE Systems AMV35 and Artec enhanced Boxer were selected as the 2 vehicles to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity.

United Kingdom

The UK was envolved in the early stages of the Boxers development, but pulled out as the vehicle could not be air-transported by a C130 aircraft. The former cancelled FRES UV program has now matured in to the British Armies “Mechanised Infantry Carrier” MIC program.

A number of manufacturers have expressed an interest in offering their 8×8 platforms. A Ministry Of Defence preliminary market engagement was released in October 2016 and its expected that Artec will respond to the engagement.

Artec Boxer APC Specifications

Firepower
Main Gun	FLW-200 Remote Weapon Station, x1 7.62mm MG3
Secondary Weapons	n/a
Ammunition Storage	?
Mobility
Engine	V8, 720hp, MTU 8V199 TE20 Diesel (Multi-Fuelled)
Transmission	Allison HD4070 x7 speed Automatic
Top Road Speed	103 km/h
Suspension Type	Independent
Road Range	1,050 km
Fuel Capacity	unknown
Vertical Obstacle	0.8m
Water Capability	Fording ?m
Trench Crossing	2m
Gradient	60%
Side Slope	30%
Dimensions
Length Gun Forward	n/a
Length Hull	7.93m
Width	2.99m
Height	2.37m (hull roof)
Ground Clearance	0.5m
Weight	upto 35 tonne combat weight
Protection
NBC Protected	Yes
Armor Type	Modular, Passive
Active Protection Systems	Optional
Crew
Commander	Yes
Gunner	Yes
Loader	No
Driver	Yes
Additional Crew	—
Troops Carried	8

References:

• http://www.kmweg.com/home/wheeled-vehicles/boxer/boxer-driver-training-vehicle/product-information.html
• http://www.kmweg.com/home/wheeled-vehicles/boxer/boxer-apc/product-information.html
• http://www.kmweg.com/home/wheeled-vehicles/boxer/boxer-ambulance/product-information.html
• http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/vehicle_systems/armoured_wheeled_vehicles/boxer/index.php
• http://www.defensenews.com/articles/britains-soft-spot-for-germanys-boxer-vehicle-raises-eyebrows-in-industry
• http://www.artec-boxer.com/index.php?id=news
• Artec brochure, BOXER 062010 (Specifications)
• https://boxercrv.com.au/images/DTR-CRV-Solution-Profile-Boxer-CRV.pdf (Specifications)
• http://www.janes.com/article/39631/boxer-tested-with-agm-es14e4