At the moment the primary British-made Boxer automobile was proudly unveiled by the Minister for Defence Procurement and Business, Maria Eagle, on the Worldwide Armoured Autos (IAV) Convention. This important milestone alerts the return of large-scale armoured automobile manufacturing to the UK, revitalising the nation’s defence capabilities, financial energy, and engineering excellence.
‘’Made in Britain’’ at Its Greatest
Manufactured completely within the UK at Rheinmetall BAE Techniques Land (RBSL) in Telford, with the help of companions in KNDS UK, this floor breaking automobile represents a real collaboration. Constructed beneath the UK’s Mechanised Infantry Automobile (MIV) Programme, the Boxer’s journey to British soil started in 2019, when the Ministry of Defence awarded the contract through OCCAR to ARTEC GmbH – a partnership between Rheinmetall and KNDS, with the manufacture of the Boxer automobiles subcontracted to RBSL and KNDS UK.
This achievement is a real testomony to the dedication and collaboration of all concerned, together with the British Military, Defence Tools and Help (DE&S) and business companions. Their experience and dedication have re-established the UK’s sovereign manufacturing functionality.
Rheinmetall’s £56 million (approx. €66.3 million) funding in Telford has reworked the ability right into a world main manufacturing functionality, full with fashionable fabrication traces for armoured metal, superior floor remedy techniques, and built-in meeting traces for each Drive and Mission Modules. Each Boxer that rolls off the road is a testomony to the extremely expert workforce throughout the availability chain.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Business, Maria Eagle MP, mentioned:
“It was a pleasure to unveil the primary totally British-made Boxer – a testomony to the experience and innovation of Britain’s rising Defence Business.
“The house-grown manufacturing of this world-class automobile exemplifies our Authorities’s Plan for Change, deepening our partnership with business to ship hundreds of extremely expert jobs and drive development throughout the UK.”
John Abunassar, CEO of Rheinmetall within the UK, added:
“The revealing of the primary British-made Boxer is a historic second for UK defence manufacturing. It not solely symbolises the return of armoured automobile manufacturing to British soil but additionally underscores Rheinmetall’s dedication to delivering sovereign functionality, innovation, and financial prosperity for the UK. Boxer is greater than a automobile – it’s a Future Power Enabler, guaranteeing the British Military is able to meet tomorrow’s challenges whereas delivering actual advantages in the present day.”
Driving Financial Development and Innovation
The Boxer programme is delivering financial and strategic affect, creating over 1,000 extremely expert jobs throughout engineering, improvement, and complicated techniques integration; with over 100 UK suppliers concerned. Round 75% of Boxer’s elements are sourced domestically, guaranteeing a resilient UK provide.
This funding strengthens the UK’s defence technique whereas guaranteeing collaboration with NATO allies, positioning Boxer as a key participant in regional safety and interoperability.
Boxer: Prepared for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Boxer isn’t only a automobile – it’s designed for adaptability, resilience, and operational superiority, it delivers unmatched versatility to the British Military’s Future Power. With our Telford facility poised for quantity manufacturing this 12 months, Boxer is able to roll out as a vital functionality in an period of complicated world safety challenges.
The UK trials programme for Boxer is advancing efficiently, with prototypes passing all exams on the primary try. These trials, supported by ARTEC and KNDS, have included Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) assessments, reside firing at Lulworth Ranges in Dorset, and excessive climatic evaluations at Millbrook Proving Floor in Bedfordshire. This flawless efficiency underscores Boxer’s distinctive reliability and operational readiness, even in probably the most difficult environments. Notably, the British Military has efficiently examined the Boxer’s water-fording capabilities, demonstrating its stability and management in unprepared water crossings.
These achievements spotlight the Boxer’s sturdy design and its readiness to satisfy the various operational calls for of the British Armed Forces.
A New Chapter for UK Defence Manufacturing
The primary British-built Boxer highlights the re-establishing armoured automobile manufacturing on British soil. The Boxer programme is an emblem of what could be achieved by way of collaboration, funding, and a shared dedication to securing the longer term.
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