Bundeswehr's leap: The robust Boxer HWC from Australia to Germany

The prototype of the Boxer HWC armoured infantry fighting vehicle has been sent to the Bundeswehr for testing. Its mass production is set to be conducted in Australia, and the 123 ordered vehicles will replace the smaller and lighter Wiesel vehicles in the German army.

The Boxer HWC (Heavy Weapons Carrier) is based on the Boxer CRV variant, a reconnaissance vehicle developed for Australia. Both models derive from the basic Boxer model; an armoured personnel carrier developed at the start of the century by Germany, the United Kingdom, and France.

After the latter two countries withdrew from the development program, the Boxer was ultimately produced in cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands as an armoured personnel carrier. It weighs about 25 tonnes (with a maximum vehicle weight reaching up to about 40 tonnes).

The base version became the foundation for the development of specialized vehicle variants, including the Boxer HWC, tailored for the role of an infantry fighting vehicle and a fire support vehicle.

The Boxer HWCs are set to replace the Wiesel 1 and 2 vehicles, also dubbed the world's smallest tanks, currently used by the Bundeswehr. These are light-tracked vehicles initially designed for airborne troops.

At present, the Wiesel serves as a base for reconnaissance variants, anti-aircraft, tank destroyers, or medical evacuation vehicles. The Boxer HWC, significantly heavier, larger, better armoured, and equipped with a Lance turret—as seen on the tracked Puma and Lynx vehicles—is set to take over some of these roles.

This turret accommodates a 30-mm automatic cannon Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM and a co-axial machine gun. Optionally, it can be fitted with a Spike-LR anti-tank missile launcher and an additional remote-controlled module with a 12.7 mm calibre machine gun.