- Germany and the Netherlands have signed a $5.2 billion contract to procure 270 additional Boxer armored vehicles through OCCAR.
- The deal includes new ambulance and training variants, upgrades to existing medical vehicles, and initial in-service support.
The Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) has finalized a €4.5 billion ($5.2 billion) contract to procure 270 additional Boxer armored vehicles for Germany and the Netherlands, expanding the multinational Boxer program’s total value to more than €10 billion ($11.6 billion).
According to OCCAR, the agreement includes new driver training and ambulance variants for the German military, along with system upgrades for Germany’s existing Boxer ambulance fleet. The enhancements include updated C4I and visual systems and advanced medical equipment to strengthen frontline medical support capabilities.
In a key development, Germany and the Netherlands will co-develop a new Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant of the Boxer. The vehicle, dubbed Schakal, will integrate the Puma RCT30 turret onto the Boxer chassis. The Puma turret features an advanced automatic cannon, targeting optics, and electronic systems. A total of 222 Schakal IFVs will be delivered under the agreement.
The procurement package also includes funding for initial in-service support (ISS) and is based on the latest Boxer drive module, described by OCCAR as the future standard for all participating nations. OCCAR manages the Boxer program on behalf of Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom and contracts with ARTEC GmbH—a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS.
“This investment enhances operational capabilities for both nations and reinforces the Boxer’s role as a modular, adaptable platform suited for evolving combat environments,” OCCAR said in a release.
The Boxer IFV variant aims to deliver increased lethality and survivability while maintaining interoperability within NATO’s armored formations. It is expected to fill tactical roles previously occupied by heavier tracked vehicles, offering improved battlefield mobility and digital integration.
Delivery of the new vehicles is scheduled to begin in the coming years, with OCCAR noting that further variants and capability developments are already being planned. The program reflects a continued focus among European defense partners on modularity, fleet standardization, and long-term sustainment.
The contract was formally signed during a ceremony at OCCAR’s headquarters in Bonn. With this expansion, the Boxer program continues to solidify its position as a core element of European armored vehicle cooperation.