The UK has taken delivery of its first Boxer next-generation armored fighting vehicles ahead of much-awaited British Army trials.
Two prototypes arrived in the country late last year and will be handed over to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for evaluation, according to the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement arm.
“The delivery of these prototypes to the Army for trials is not only positive news for the future of the British Army, it also boosts our commitment to investing in the UK’s defense industry and supply chains,” Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) official Simon Hamilton said.
The procurement arm did not provide the exact timeline for the trials. However, it said industry partners will also take part in the activity.
When all necessary trials are completed, the Boxer is expected to proceed to full-rate production and official deployment.
Setting ‘Unprecedented’ Standard
The Boxer is a modular armored vehicle designed to form a core part of the British Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams.
It will be paired with Ajax fighting vehicles and Challenger 3 main battle tanks to help the army fight and win future wars.
DE&S said the modern ground asset sets an unprecedented standard for armored vehicles due to its “groundbreaking power-to-weight ratio and mobility.”
It also boasts cutting-edge threat detection technology to protect troops against a wide variety of enemy attacks.
The Boxer will come in four variants: infantry carrier, specialist carrier, command post carrier, and medical evacuation.
“The delivery of Boxer vehicles ensures warfighting remains at the heart of the British Army and today’s milestone reaffirms our threat-led approach; delivering the Army the capability it needs to meet the challenges of the battlefield as outlined in Future Soldier,” Hamilton concluded.
