Artec Lands Order for 69 More Boxer RCT30s for German, Dutch Forces

Germany and the Netherlands Expand Boxer RCT30 Fleets

Artec, the joint venture between KNDS and Rheinmetall that runs the Boxer programme, has triggered an option to deliver 69 additional Boxer RCT30 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles to Germany and the Netherlands. The order comes under an existing 2025 contract originally covering 222 systems and was placed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on behalf of the two nations.

The Bundeswehr will take 35 more vehicles, expanding its fleet to 185, while the Royal Netherlands Army will receive 34, bringing its total to 106. Germany designates the vehicle the “Schakal” and has assigned it to the new Medium Forces structure, where it fills a gap between heavy tracked armour and light protected mobility.

The Boxer RCT30 mounts a 30 mm turret derived from that of the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle and integrates the MELLS anti-tank guided missile system. It carries a squad of six dismounted soldiers and, according to KNDS, can engage moving targets as well as counter drones and aircraft. With this order, the number of nations under contract for the Boxer RCT30 rises to four, reinforcing the platform’s position as a standard European wheeled IFV.

What a Joint Order Signals for European Land Cooperation

A Growing European Boxer Community

The order deepens a procurement partnership that both Berlin and The Hague have cultivated for years, most recently through their joint purchase of Boxer variants. Operating the same vehicle family reduces the logistical burden, simplifies training, and guarantees a higher degree of tactical interoperability. KNDS Deutschland CEO Florian Hohenwarter explicitly linked the deal to these benefits, noting that “joint procurement … has a direct, positive impact on training and logistics and guarantees interoperability between the armed forces.” The comment reflects a broader NATO posture after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where rapid reinforcement across borders depends on common equipment.

What the Schakal Brings to the Medium Forces

Germany’s “Medium Forces” concept demands vehicles that are more deployable than a Leopard 2 but more survivable and lethal than a light patrol vehicle. The Schakal’s 30 mm cannon, anti-tank missile capability, and onboard counter-drone measures align with the threats observed in Ukraine, where armoured columns face layered attacks from drones and top-attack missiles. The six-dismount squad capacity also means the vehicle can deliver infantry under armour directly into a contested area, a key requirement for manoeuvre warfare.

The KNDS Advantage and Competitive Landscape

This follow-on order reaffirms the momentum behind the Boxer family, which has now been selected by seven nations across several variants. For KNDS and its supply chain, the exercise of the option provides predictable production utilisation and confirms that the 2025 framework contract—with a total of 222 systems—still has further options to be tapped. Competitively, each new batch makes it harder for rival wheeled IFVs, such as Patria’s AMV or Iveco’s SuperAV, to gain a foothold in the German and Dutch mechanised formations, locking in standardised training and ammunition supply chains that favour the incumbent.

Implications for Defence Planners and Industry

Defence ministries and force planners

• The German and Dutch armies should accelerate joint doctrine development for the Medium Forces, ensuring that common tactics and standard operating procedures keep pace with the expanding shared fleet.
• The Dutch Ministry of Defence can now plan the decommissioning of legacy platforms that the additional 34 Boxers are intended to replace, avoiding overlaps in maintenance and training pipelines.

Industry and supply chain

• KNDS and Rheinmetall can expect further option exercises under the 222-unit contract; securing long-lead items for the 30 mm turret and MELLS integration now will help compress delivery timelines for future orders.
• Subcontractors specialising in the counter-drone sensor suite fitted to the Schakal should position themselves for potential exports as other Boxer users observe the German-Dutch configuration.

Allied Boxer operators

• The UK, Lithuania and Australia—already Boxer users but currently on different turret variants—may find it easier to join the RCT30 club in future, gaining direct spares commonality and the ability to participate in joint training with the Bundeswehr.