British soldiers are set to benefit from the addition of 623 new state-of-the-art Boxer armoured vehicles, as the first fully British-made Boxer was unveiled at the International Armoured Vehicle Conference held in Farnborough on 21 January 2025. This significant milestone marks the beginning of the UK’s role in the full production of these vehicles.
The Boxer programme is a major boost for the UK’s defense industry, supporting around 400 jobs in Telford and Stockport, with an additional 1,000 across the UK supply chain. It is expected to create and sustain over 6,000 jobs nationally, helping deliver on the UK Government’s “Plan for Change.”
During the unveiling, the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, emphasized the importance of this development in strengthening Britain’s defense capabilities. She highlighted that around 75% of the Boxer’s components are sourced domestically, ensuring a resilient and sustainable supply chain.
The UK has played a major role in the design, development, and testing of the Boxer, which has been manufactured in collaboration with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land in Telford, and KNDS UK in Stockport. The vehicle is an eight-wheeled, all-terrain, highly protected armoured fighting vehicle, adaptable to suit various military missions across many theatres of operation.
Maria Eagle stated, “The Boxer programme exemplifies the UK Government’s Plan for Change, deepening our partnership with the defense industry and driving growth through thousands of skilled jobs across the UK.”
The production of 623 Boxer vehicles, along with 148 Challenger 3 tanks, represents a £5 billion investment in the British Army’s capabilities. These new platforms will enable UK troops to move more rapidly and effectively on the battlefield, adapting to diverse military scenarios.
John Abunassar, CEO of Rheinmetall in the UK, described the unveiling of the Boxer as “a historic moment for UK defense manufacturing,” underscoring the vehicle’s importance not just as a piece of military equipment but as a future force enabler.
With continuing investment in defense technology, the UK is reinforcing its position as a global leader in defense innovation, ensuring national security while providing highly skilled jobs and boosting the economy.
The UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, to be consulted on until February and published in late spring 2025, aims to further grow the UK’s defense sector with a vision extending to 2035.