Boxer begins vehicle trials in Bedford
Image courtesy Rheinmetall
These trials will qualify the design against the MIV technical requirements, demonstrating the Boxer vehicle’s capability and performance for the British Army.
There are two prototype vehicles in the Command variant that will conduct the trials, as part of the Army’s modernisation plan. They will focus on mission systems including C4I, Electronic Counter Measures, User Human Machine Interface, Electromagnetic Compatibility and Climatics. The trials are supported by ARTEC and KNDS.
MIV first series production vehicles will be delivered this year – an important phase of the programme for both the customer and industry. These will be Command variants, built in the Rheinmetall factory in Kassel, Germany. They are currently in the final stages of their build before being shipped to the UK.
In 2019, the UK Ministry of Defence placed an order for 523 Boxer vehicles and went on to increase the order by 100 in April 2022. The Boxer is a highly-protected 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle. Its modular architecture enables a greater number of variants than any other vehicle system. The British Army is procuring four variants, including Infantry Carrying Vehicle, Command & Control, Field Ambulance and Specialist Carrier variants.
The production of UK Boxer vehicles has commenced in the UK. All of the investment into Telford and its Bristol headquarters, has demonstrated Rheinmetall’s commitment to investing in high value jobs, enabling the pursuit of export opportunities.
MIV Production facilities were commissioned and installed through RBSL’s Industrialisation Programme, with a £40m investment into the Telford site to transform it into a world-class manufacturing facility. The programme is working with a vibrant UK supply chain, supporting economic growth and level-up regional economic opportunity. It focuses on supporting and enhancing UK supply chain and developing the skills and expertise in-country.
Through the progression to the first series delivery, Rheinmetall are supporting the economic benefits of the programme, as there is an increase in land industry jobs in the UK and the UK supply chain involved in the programme are also contributing into other European programmes.
There has been a significant recruitment effort, both at RBSL and across the UK supply chain, to support the MIV Programme. At RBSL, there has been a focus on apprenticeships, with many apprentices joining to support the programme and beginning a career in the industry.
