Bundeswehr Procures Boxer 8x8 Vehicles in EUR 2.7 Billion Deal with Rheinmetall

Defense News ,Germany :-  The German Bundeswehr, which is their national defense force, has chosen a company called Rheinmetall to provide them with a new kind of vehicle. It's called the "Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie" or Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry. This decision was made after the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag, which is like their government's congress, approved the plan on March 20, 2024. Then, on March 21, 2023, the contract between the Bundeswehr and Rheinmetall was officially signed. 

This contract means that the German Army will get up to 123 of these vehicles. The whole deal is worth about EUR2.7 billion, which includes not just the vehicles themselves, but also the service and maintenance that will keep them running. They're expected to start delivering these vehicles in 2025.

So, what's so special about this new Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry? Well, it's meant to replace another vehicle called the Wiesel tracked vehicle. The main job of this new vehicle is to give direct tactical support to infantry units. It's also a key part of something the German Army is calling their "medium forces". These medium forces are supposed to be able to move quickly over long distances, which helps with both defending Germany itself and working with other countries in defense alliances.

The Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry is based on another vehicle called the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV). This vehicle is used by the Australian Defence Force and is also made by Rheinmetall. It's an 8×8 vehicle, which means it has eight wheels and all of them are powered. One of its main features is a special turret called the Lance turret, which can hold two people. The main gun on this turret is made by Rheinmetall, and it's called the MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon. This gun is also used on another German vehicle called the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The new Heavy Weapon Carrier also has a system for firing guided missiles, which can be used to defend against tanks.

The head of Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, says they're proud to be chosen to make this new vehicle for the German Army. He also says that Rheinmetall is using not just their German factories but also their Australian ones to make sure they can build these vehicles as quickly as possible.

For making the vehicles for the German Army, Rheinmetall will be using a special factory called the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Australia. They'll be making these vehicles alongside the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles that they're already building for the Australian Defence Forces.

This project is a big cooperation between Germany and Australia. It started in 2023 when the leaders of both countries agreed to work together on it. They signed an agreement in Berlin, Germany, in July 2023. Before that, in March 2023, representatives from both countries had already signed a document in Canberra, Australia, to show they wanted to work together. This laid the groundwork for the bigger agreement that came later.

John Abunassar, who's in charge of making vehicles at Rheinmetall, says that the vehicles they're making for the German Army are very similar to the ones they're making for Australia. He also says that both Germany and Australia trust Rheinmetall to make good vehicles for their armies.

Rheinmetall also has a big presence in Australia already. They have over 900 employees there, and they make all sorts of high-tech military equipment at their factory in Redbank. They're also involved in supporting the Australian Defence Force in other ways, like training and managing their equipment. Nathan Poyner, who's in charge of Rheinmetall in Australia, says that this project will help both countries' defense industries grow and work together more closely.

The Boxer vehicle, on which the new Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry is based, is already used by several other countries' armed forces. It's known for being very safe for the people inside it and for being able to carry powerful weapons while still being able to move around easily. This makes it good for both peacekeeping missions and for fighting in wars.

Rheinmetall is already a big supplier of military vehicles to Australia. They've already delivered over 200 Boxer vehicles as part of a big project called Land 400 Phase 2. They've also given support to the Australian Defence Force's HX fleet, which has thousands of vehicles in it. Plus, they've provided special systems to the Royal Australian Navy and made trucks for the New Zealand Defence Force.

So, with this new project, Rheinmetall is building on their already strong relationship with Australia while also helping to strengthen Germany's defense capabilities.