Rheinmetall and Patria displayed their Boxer Armoured Mortar Variant on 18 September 2024 at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD2024) exhibition in Millbrook, Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom.
The collaboration integrates the Boxer 8 X 8 wheeled armoured combat vehicle with the Patria Nemo 120mm turret mortar system.
The Nemo is a fielded proven mobile mortar system capable of providing responsive close fire support to manoeuvre ground forces. It has a high rate of fire of up to ten rounds per minute. These fires can be delivered not only while stationary but while the vehicle is on the move.
This not only enhances the responsiveness of fires but significantly reduces its exposure to counter-battery fires. All firing operations conducted within the vehicle assuring the protection of the crew from enemy action.
In addition, unlike traditional mortars the Boxer Armoured Mortar Variant is able to deliver not only accurate indirect fire but directly engage targets as well. It is thus able to offer close assault fires and engage fortifications, buildings, and even light combat vehicles in support of the ground operation.
The Armoured Mortar Variant is able to fire all existing 120mm mortar projectiles including high explosive, smoke, illumination, as well as guided precision projectiles and an anti-armour round.
It is also capable of Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) engagement. In MRSI the system can deliver up to five rounds delivered to hit a target simultaneously. This technique maximizes the impact and effectiveness of the delivery overwhelming enemy positions. The Armoured Mortar Variants are also capable of coordinating with each other allowing missions including MRSI to further increase the firepower. The 120mm mortar offers a range of up to 10 kilometres.
Coupled with its flexibility to relocate rapidly and fire on the move the mortar system is able to assure safe and reliable support to frontline units under all conditions day or night from a safe location.
The Armoured Mortar Variant is being presented to address the British Army requirements for mobile organic indirect fires in support of its Armoured Brigade Combat Teams.
The Army has selected the Boxer as its Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV). It will be fielded in eight mission role variants provided by WFEL and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land.
Currently, 623 Boxers have been approved for the British Army with initial variants being troop-carrier, ambulance, command vehicle, and specialist carrier.
The first Boxer’s entered British service in 2023.
by Stephen W. Miller
