The Multi-role Armored Vehicle (MRAV) BOXER
The Project "Multi-role Armored Vehicle (MRAV) / BOXER" is handled by Team K52.2 "Wheeled Weapon Carriers" of the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement.
Great Britain withdrew from the program at the beginning of 2005. It is currently being continued by Germany and the Netherlands with the aim of providing armored transport capacity for the armed forces.
This bilateral program is managed by OCCAR, the European Organization for Joint Armaments Cooperation, on behalf of the participating nations. It covers the Dutch and German vehicle variants which include transport vehicles for both personnel and material, command vehicles, ambulance and driver training vehicles, all based on a common driving module as well as specific mission modules.
Team K52.2 is in charge of handling the nation-specific development activities and representing national interests vis-à-vis OCCAR. As national program management team, it is responsible for certain tasks relating to testing and technology, logistics, budgetary and contractual matters.
The BOXER is intended to fully or partially replace other vehicles, such as the armored personnel carriers M 113 and "FUCHS" (Fox). It constitutes a new generation of vehicles with the following significantly enhanced capabilities:
- Optimized protection concept against ballistic threats, mines, acquisition and identification,
- High operational and tactical mobility and range, strategic deployability by air/sea and air transportability by A400M,
- Sustainability and survivability under difficult geographical and climatic conditions,
- Large useable volume and high payload for various missions,
- Modular vehicle concept at system and sub-system level,
- Growth potential for modifications and upgrades.
The modular design, which encompasses an all-wheel driven (8 x 8) driving module and a mission- and requirement-specific mission module, allows for more effective variants which can be tailored to a particular mission, while reducing total development costs. The envisaged service life is 30 years and more.
The German variant of the armored personnel carrier is to satisfy the requirements of the "Infantryman of the Future" system.
The new command vehicle comprises the equipment of the German Army command, control and information system.
The medical corps will be equipped with a heavy protected ambulance vehicle, which will likewise be based on the BOXER.
The procurement of driver training vehicles is planned for the training of military drivers.
BOXER is currently undergoing the final test phase to prove compliance with the reliability requirements. Fielding of the first production vehicles is scheduled to start at the end of 2009.
Procurement will be conducted in cooperation with the Netherlands.
