As of: February 28, 2024, 1:59 p.m
By: Johannes Rützel
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The Bundeswehr has ordered new Boxer tanks for 595 million euros.
They are to be built at the Rheinmetall plant in Kassel.
Kassel/Düsseldorf – The Bundeswehr has ordered Boxer wheeled tanks for 595 million euros, which are to be equipped with the modern Skyranger air defense system.
The order calls for the delivery of a prototype and 18 series vehicles.
There is also the option for 30 additional vehicles.
The prototype is scheduled to be delivered at the end of 2024, Rheinmetall said.
Artec, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann, is responsible for the boxer.
The vehicles are to be manufactured at the Rheinmetall factory in Kassel.
A Rheinmetall spokesman said the towers will probably be used here too.
The Skyranger air defense system essentially consists of a 30-millimeter revolver cannon as well as guided missiles and sensors.
According to Rheinmetall, Lithuania is also considering introducing the Boxer-based Skyranger.
Denmark has also announced a corresponding procurement.
Boxer wheeled tank with attached Skyranger air defense system: The computer simulation shows what the vehicle could look like.
Computer simulation: Rheinmetall © Private
Boxers and towers from Kassel are in demand all over Europe
Just a few days ago, Austria ordered 36 Skyranger systems on the three-axle Pandur vehicle from Rheinmetall.
Hungary commissioned Rheinmetall in December with a concept to mount the Skyranger turret on the Lynx wheeled tank.
Since 2011, the Boxer has been in use or ordered by the Bundeswehr in several variants: with a cannon turret, as a transporter, and as a medical and command vehicle.
Inventory and orders add up to 550 vehicles with the air defense variant.
Rheinmetall is working on a new air defense system for the Bundeswehr
The background to the current Boxer order is also the necessary closure of the gap because the Bundeswehr's air defense force was disbanded in 2012.
This becomes even more important in view of the warfare in Ukraine, where cities and positions are constantly being attacked with drones.
The decommissioned German Gepard anti-aircraft gun tanks are currently being used in Ukraine for air defense.
According to the Federal Ministry of Defense, the experiences there showed how important mobile and protected anti-aircraft systems are for national and alliance defense.
The Roland anti-aircraft missile tank was decommissioned in 2005.
It was only in January 2024 that Rheinmetall, among others, was commissioned to develop a new air defense system for the Bundeswehr.
The Bundestag Budget Committee has approved 1.23 billion euros from the special fund for the Bundeswehr.
(John Rützel)
The Boxer wheeled tank is one of Kassel's export hits.