Rolls-Royce expands military engine capabilities

Above: Rolls-Royce is expanding its mtu Series 199 for military land vehicles into a comprehensive product family with an increased power range for new vehicles and for the repowering of existing vehicles. In future, the mtu Series 199 will consist of four different cylinder variants with outputs ranging from 260 to 1,300 kW.
Courtesy Rolls-Royce

In future, the mtu Series 199 will consist of four different cylinder variants with outputs ranging from 260 to 1,300 kW.

Rolls-Royce is supplying 350 engines from the mtu 199 series for new Boxer armoured wheeled vehicles for the German Armed Forces and other international customers in the manufacturing consortium. The system houses Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS) placed orders with Rolls-Royce for the delivery of these 8-cylinder engines, each with an output of 530 or 600 kilowatts. Delivery of the first vehicles is scheduled for the first half of 2026. Rolls-Royce is now expanding the 199 series to a complete drive family with outputs of up to more than 1,300 kW.

Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG said: "The new orders show that a new era is dawning in our industry. Today’s armed forces need greater mobility, flexibility and performance – and we are rising to this challenge. With the expanded mtu Series 199, we offer a universal drive concept that meets current and future requirements. Our aim remains to be a partner that takes responsibility and offers decisive solutions that meet the needs of the troops.”

System integrators Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS) have ordered 350 mtu engines from Rolls-Royce to power new Boxer wheeled armoured vehicles.

The Boxer armoured transport vehicle and the mtu Series 199 have been a joint success story for years. Further orders were added in 2025, bringing the total number of 8V199 engines to around 400 in 2025. The modular vehicle consists of an eight-wheeled drive module onto which mission modules are mounted depending on the intended use. This has resulted in a large number of variants for European and non-European armies in a short period of time. What they all have in common is the drive: all of the more than 2,000 Boxer vehicles ordered or already delivered and their derivatives are powered by mtu 8V199 engines.

With over 4,500 engines delivered, the mtu 199 series is the world’s most successful programme in its performance class for military land vehicles used by the armies of NATO members and allied states. It stands for high-performance engines with low space requirements and high power density, which can be used to power new weapon systems and to re-engine existing vehicle fleets with high efficiency.

Building on this concept, Rolls-Royce is expanding the 199 series into a larger family to meet the increasing performance requirements of the troops and the limited budgets of the armies. Rolls-Royce recently announced performance upgrades of the existing variants of the mtu Series 199 and the development of a 10-cylinder variant with up to 1,100 kW and a 12-cylinder variant with over 1,300 kW of power.

Knut Müller, Senior Vice President Government Business at Rolls-Royce, said: "Because many NATO countries and friendly nations are adapting their armed forces to the current threat situation, more and more powerful vehicles are needed. With our 199 family, we will in future offer a universal portfolio of engines ranging from 260 kW to over 1,300 kW, which fully meets the current requirements of the armed forces for a modern drive concept. This includes not only higher engine power, but also the concept of maximum parts commonality. This makes it easier to replace drives within vehicle fleets and simplifies the storage of spare parts and the supply of troops. This concept not only ensures economical storage of spare parts, but also provides troops in the field with significant tactical advantages in terms of supply and repairs.”