The Australian Government has inspected the first Boxer multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) during an official ceremony held in Kassel, Germany.

Set for delivery in the coming weeks, the first Australian Boxer vehicle is being shipped under the government’s LAND 400 Phase 2 programme.

Rheinmetall’s Boxer 8×8 combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) was selected for the Phase 2 programme after it completed rigorous trials.

On 17 August, the company signed a €2.1bn contract for the development of 211 vehicles with deliveries set to take place between this year and 2026.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia managing director Gary Stewart said: “These first Boxer vehicles will enable the Australian Army to develop training programmes for soldiers who will operate the vehicles out of bases in Townsville, Adelaide and Brisbane.”



The Boxer vehicles will be deployed to fulfil the roles of multi-purpose, surveillance, command and control, joint fires, battlefield repair, recovery and reconnaissance.

“This will underpin the enduring partnership with the government to design, manufacture, deliver, support and modernise this world-leading capability.”

Of the total 211 vehicles, the army will receive 133 reconnaissance variants fitted with Lance turret system and 30mm automatic cannon.

Following the delivery of the first vehicles, the Australian Army will start operating them by the end of this year.

Prior to final delivery and operations, the vehicles will be installed with communications and computing equipment, as well as a remote weapon station to meet the Australian Army’s specific requirements.

Rheinmetall Corporate CEO Armin Papperger said: “Work on these first vehicles in Germany will help Rheinmetall transition the know-how necessary to establish a sovereign military vehicle industry in Australia and enable the local manufacture of combat vehicles.

“This, in turn, will underpin the enduring partnership with the government to design, manufacture, deliver, support and modernise this world-leading capability.”

Supacat Asia Pacific is serving as a supplier and will design and manufacture sub-systems for the vehicles.