Germany and Netherlands order Boxer RCT 30 ‘Schakal’ IFVs; KNDS deliveries to start in late 2027
Europe – ARTEC, the original equipment manufacturer of the Boxer system and a joint venture between KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme, will supply 150 BOXER RCT 30 systems to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and 72 BOXER RCT 30 vehicles to the Dutch armed forces. The deliveries, carried out under an agreement following a contract signed with OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement), will begin in late 2027.
Contract overview and deliveries
This order follows a contract previously signed by ARTEC with OCCAR. In German service, the BOXER RCT 30 will be designated “Schakal” and will equip Germany’s newly formed Medium Forces, where it will serve as their main weapon system.
- Germany: 150 BOXER RCT 30 (Schakal) for the Bundeswehr’s Medium Forces
- Netherlands: 72 BOXER RCT 30 vehicles for the Dutch armed forces
- Initial deliveries: Late 2027
With these orders, Germany and the Netherlands join two other countries with contracts for the Boxer RCT 30, bringing the total number of user nations to four.
Platform, turret, and capabilities
KNDS developed the BOXER RCT 30 by integrating the existing Boxer platform, which is already in operation in seven nations. The vehicle incorporates a 30-millimetre turret from the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The wheeled infantry fighting vehicle can employ the multi-role lightweight guided missile system (MELLS) for anti-tank operations, accommodates six personnel, and provides anti-drone and anti-aircraft capabilities. According to KNDS, the Boxer RCT 30 is capable of engaging main battle tanks.
Role within Germany’s Medium Forces
As Germany fields its Medium Forces, the Boxer RCT 30 will form the core of the formation’s combat power. The configuration, blending Puma IFV turret technology with the established Boxer chassis, is designed to deliver a mobile, survivable, and networked platform with air defense and anti-armor functionality.
Additional variants: armored ambulances and driver training vehicles
Separately, KNDS has been commissioned to produce 38 BOXER sgSanKfz (heavily protected ambulance vehicles) and ten Boxer driving school vehicles for the Bundeswehr. ARTEC awarded this contract to KNDS as part of its broader responsibilities as Boxer OEM. The agreement includes an option for up to 150 additional ambulance vehicles and 100 more driver training units.
The total value for the initial batch of 48 vehicles amounts to €352m ($407m). Deliveries of these new variants are expected to start in early 2028.
- Ambulance role: The Boxer ambulance serves as the first component in medical evacuation operations for pre-hospital care, accommodating casualties depending on the nature of their injuries and providing capacity for intensive care when necessary.
- Driver training role: The Boxer driver training vehicle is designed exclusively for instructional use during peacetime, providing training for drivers seeking a Boxer licence.
Background and program context
This procurement aligns with broader European cooperation through OCCAR. In October 2025, OCCAR commissioned Artec to deliver a total of 222 Schakal infantry fighting vehicles to the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands. The current orders further consolidate Boxer’s footprint across Europe and expand the number of nations fielding the BOXER RCT 30 variant.
What’s next
Production for the BOXER RCT 30 is slated to ramp up to meet the late 2027 delivery start for Germany and the Netherlands, with medical and training variants to follow from early 2028. Options for additional sgSanKfz ambulances and driver training vehicles could expand the program’s scope, while the integration of MELLS and the Puma-derived turret underscores the platform’s growing role in Europe’s land forces modernization.
