The 2 February announcement by The Slovenia Ministry of Defense became the most recent national military to select ARTEC’s Boxer 8×8 multi-role armoured vehicle following an announcement made on 2 Feburary 2018.
The procurement of 100 vehicles is being conducted through the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) Boxer programme. The Boxers will be provided with the Rheinmetall Lancer two man turret with a Rheinmetall Mauser MK30-2 air bursting munition (ABM) dual-feed stabilised cannon 30mm auto-cannon capable of firing programmable ammunition and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The LANCE turret uses a fully digital fire control system with two electro-optic sights – each equipped with a high-resolution camera, a thermal imaging camera and a laser rangefinder. One sight offers 360-degree visibility and can be operated both by the commanding officer and by the gunner. It can accurately acquire and engage moving targets even when the vehicle is moving cross country at speed.
Boxer uses a common chassis which is then fit with mission modules that are designed for various tasks. At over 36,000kg combat weight Boxer is one of the heavier wheeled armoured vehicles but is use of AMAP composite armour also make it one of the most protected. Its independent wishbone suspension, large tires, and two front axle steering offer exceptional mobility and agility.
The Slovenian Armed Forces will first equip its Central Battalion Battle Group with the first 48 vehicles which will be delivered from between 2018 to 2020. This battalion will be operation by 2022 and will be followed by a second battalion to be operational by 2025. Boxer is also used by Germany and the Netherlands. It was also selected in 2017 by the Lithuanian Army and it is a candidate for programs in Australia and the United Kingdom.
