Patria and Rheinmetall have revealed the first UK prototype of the Boxer Armoured Mortar Variant at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD2024) exhibition in Millbrook, Bedfordshire.
This new collaboration showcases cutting-edge technology designed to enhance the British Army’s battlefield capabilities, with a focus on mobility, firepower, and crew protection.
The prototype features the advanced Patria NEMO 120mm turreted mortar system, integrated onto Rheinmetall’s highly mobile and protected Boxer platform.
Among its key features, the Armoured Mortar Variant boasts a high rate of fire, achieving up to 10 rounds per minute. It also offers fire-on-the-move capability, allowing the vehicle to engage targets while in transit, reducing vulnerability to counter-battery fire. Additionally, the system can perform both direct and indirect fire, adding flexibility to various combat scenarios.
The Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) capability allows the system to deliver up to five rounds to hit a target simultaneously, increasing its impact on the battlefield.
“We are excited to present this innovative Armoured Mortar Variant at the DVD2024 exhibition,” said Rebecca Richards, Deputy CEO at Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems International.
“This collaboration with Patria underscores our shared commitment to advancing military technology and providing the UK’s armed forces with the best possible equipment.”
Hugo Vanbockryck, Senior Vice President Market Area Europe at Patria, added: “The Armoured Mortar Variant represents a significant leap forward in superior battlefield capabilities. We are proud to partner with Rheinmetall in delivering this state-of-the-art solution to our customers.”
The new system provides an extended range of up to 10 kilometres, enabling it to support frontline troops from safer distances. Its design prioritises operator safety, allowing crews to remain protected within the vehicle while delivering firepower, enhancing both survivability and deterrence.
Attendees of the DVD2024 exhibition are invited to explore the Armoured Mortar Variant and other innovations at Patria and Rheinmetall’s booths.
There is still no official confirmation that this is being bought by the Army AFAIK?
Indeed, but there must be a requirement driving all these developments
Not really, often manufacturers will make prototypes just to see if something sticks, or to have it in the back pocket in case a future government asks for ideas.
Boxer seems to encourage this by only requiring the manufacturer to make a module and letting the customer source the rest.
I’m curious if we’ll ever see other vehicles that can accept boxer modules.
Supacat have proposed putting the lighter ones on their 6-axle platforms. The challenge is that boxer is tall and quite cylindrical, so it doesn’t really fit into the normal low and boxy tracked AFV format. I know there’s tracked boxer, but that’s always seemed a bit weird to me…
That thing looks very sci-fi
This is a really nice system, fully stabilised etc.
It also has a naval variant.
Could that be an option as a Fire Support variant of whatever becomes the Commando Insertion Craft?
10km range. Is this enough? would a 105mm gun mount be better?
Presumably its a decent size bomb but with all this talk of long range fires, 10k seems a bit close?
Can imagine this on a Commando Insertion craft, massive clout just where you need it.
Would a turreted 105mm be able to do the howitzer role? All of the typical fire support turrets seem to be direct fire. This is essentially weight of fire for the Boxer formations, etc. I agree with the other posters that a lighter mount or even retaining infantry mortars is needed, a Boxer is too cumbersome for a lot of situations. If the Marines are going to be serious about raiding and lots of damage with small forces, some sort of more flexible (ie not warship based) fire support will be needed at the ranges they want to stay away… Read more »
Sure a 105 in a turret could do the Howitzer role, look at Abbot, or Boxer RCH 155. The issue isn’t “can you do it” it’s that optimising a design for fire support by Howitzers, vs optimising a design for DF has inherrent contradictions.
Aren’t the Army looking at 10km ATGW range as the next step? Could a few boxer 120 mortars dotted amongst the MIV , Ajax and C3 with smart munitions cover that zone. Bonus type rounds or even a mortar shell with an active seeker as proposed in the 1980s.
Drones could be packaged into a round that size to extend the range.
Shooting whilst on the move makes it more survivable.
Boxer 155 in support to 40km and M270 to 150km should make 105 unnecessary.
Yes, I saw TD’s article about the guided AT mortar rounds- combine that with modern drone tech and you’ve got quite the anti-armour capability out of a 120 mm tube that can fire 10 rounds a minute!
I’m hoping we pull out of the cluster munitions treaty like Lithuania did, then we can get 120 mm DPICM rounds too. I know they don’t exist yet, just saying…
Why not 15inch guns 😀
It’s a mortar system not artillery.
120mm mortar have much more capability than a 105mm gun, the round trajectory make it ideal. Usually a 120mm mortar round is considered equivalent to a 155mm artillery round.
Direct fire 120mm motor, well that sorts out the direct fire requirements.
A mix of these, the 155mm SP variant and upgraded MLRS will make for a potent artillery/direct fire capability after years of famine, hopefully with a AD variant of boxer and more Sky Sabre sowing up that side of things.
As ever just need mass and speed of delivery!
Agreed a good mix, but no RCH155 ordered yet, no SP Mortars ordered yet, no AD Boxer ordered all seems good kit but no rush by the MOD to get it. Only item moving forward is MLRS A2. So will be a good few years for the kit enter service.
A lack of speed as normal and delay after delay and lack of action on getting things in to service.
Why not just buy the Swedish Mjölner ? No design or development costs and a proven system.