UK ‘has capacity’ to boost Boxer vehicle build in wartime

Britain’s armoured vehicle programme contains headroom for increased output, according to information provided to Parliament.

Recent ministerial comments indicate that the UK’s existing Boxer manufacturing arrangements have been structured to handle higher demand if required during a prolonged conflict, although no new expansion measures have been announced.

The question was raised by Labour MP Luke Akehurst, who asked what steps were being taken to expand the UK industrial footprint to allow surge assembly in the event of a prolonged conflict.

Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government has made “significant investments in the UK industrial base, including factories, the workforce, and supply chains, to support the manufacture of Boxer vehicles.” Pollard added that the programme is “now in full production,” and that the UK’s current industrial setup has “the potential to accommodate additional orders for surge delivery or export customers.”

No additional expansion measures were detailed, but Pollard’s answer indicates the production model already contains capacity designed to absorb increased demand.

Boxer is a modular eight-wheeled armoured vehicle developed through a multinational programme led by ARTEC GmbH, a joint venture controlled primarily by Rheinmetall. Its design revolves around a common drive module that can be matched with interchangeable mission modules for roles that include troop transport, command and control, reconnaissance and fire support. Production began in 2009 and more than 1800 vehicles have been built or ordered by participating nations. Rheinmetall holds a majority stake in ARTEC and oversees manufacturing activity that spans sites in Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.

The United Kingdom joined the programme with a contract awarded in 2019 for 523 vehicles, valued at 2.3 billion pounds. A further order for 100 vehicles followed in 2022, taking the total to 623. The British Army intends to bring the system into service in stages with initial operational capability targeted for 2025 and full operational capability planned for 2032. The purchase covers three principal configurations which break down into nine sub roles, reflecting the modular structure of the platform.

Role based quantities published by the Ministry of Defence illustrate the spread of tasks the fleet is intended to cover. The largest allocations support infantry mobility and command functions, with 146 infantry carriers and 158 command and control variants in the expanded order. Specialist roles include engineer section vehicles, reconnaissance and fire support variants, mortar carriers and electronic warfare platforms. Ambulances and observation posts round out the mix. In addition, a separate programme is expected to introduce the Boxer RCH 155 artillery variant with up to 96 systems planned.