UK: Mechanised Infantry Vehicle

[theoderich]

[theoderich]

IAV 2024: UK plans more Boxer variants

The first priority is to order Boxer Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Armoured Mortar Vehicle, and Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge variants in 2024, with initial operating capabilities (IOCs) at the end of the decade. This could be followed later by the Serpens Deep Find radar, Mounted Close Combat Overwatch (MCCO) anti-tank vehicles, and counter-unmanned aircraft system vehicles, and if the UK selects it for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme, Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155 self-propelled artillery with IOCs in 2031–37.

The UK has so far ordered 146 Infantry Carrier Vehicles, 200 Specialist Carrier Vehicles, 212 Command and Control Vehicles, and 65 Ambulance versions of the Boxer for one or two brigade combat teams.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/land ... r-variants

[theoderich]

[theoderich]

[theoderich]

UK wants 120mm turret mortar for ARTIC Boxer

A representative for the British Army has confirmed the force’s requirement for a 120mm smooth bore turret mounted mortar system for installation on the ARTEC Boxer (8x8) for deployment with the Armoured Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT).

The requirement was revealed during the Mortar Study Day at the Indirect Fires Conference held in Bristol earlier this month.

Following the phase out of the 60mm mortar, the only mortar deployed by the British Army has been the 81mm L16 which was a joint Canada—UK development. It has been deployed by the British Army in dismounted mode and installed in the venerable FV432 firing through open hatch covers. It has a maximum range of 5,650m firing high-explosive (HE) mortar bombs.

There will be a number of potential contenders to meet the UK’s 120mm smooth bore turret requirement which will be expected to be issued on the scale of nine per Boxer mechanised infantry battalion. They will include the Finnish Patria NEMO and Israeli Elbit Crossbow.

The 120mm NEMO is already in service with the Saudi Arabian National Guard, while 36 have been installed on a General Dynamics Land Systems’ Canada Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) (8x8), with a smaller batch installed on a UAE coastal craft.

More recently it has been ordered by the Swedish Navy for installation on eight coastal craft ordered by the FMV from Swede Ship Marine AB with deliveries expected in 2027–28.

The other contender, Elbit Systems’ Crossbow 120mm turret, is currently being developed under contract to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and which will likely be installed on the Eitan (8x8) APC.

Crossbow is said to be in the final stages of development by Elbit Systems but has already been marketed to the UK and US.

The UK has considered some of the more advanced 120mm mortars firing through open roof hatches but has instead opted for a turret, as the crew would be better protected from small arms fire and shell splinters, as well as noise and blast overpressure. The latter will present a major health and safety problem with existing dismounted mortars when being fired at maximum charge.

BAE Systems’ munitions business currently provides the British Army with its 81mm HE mortar bombs but would have to team up with an overseas supplier to make 120mm HE smoke and illuminating mortar bombs for whichever 120mm turret mortar is selected.

It will be expected that the Boxer with a turret-mounted mortar would be part of Batch 2 Boxer procurement which would also include a Repair and Recovery Vehicle and a Close Support Bridge (CSB) under Project Tyro which will be supplied by WFEL (a KNDS company).

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/land ... tic-boxer/

[theoderich]

[Berni88]

Großbritannien beschafft Boxer RCH:

https://www.hartpunkt.de/grossbritannie ... haubitzen/

https://esut.de/2024/04/meldungen/49076 ... sgewaehlt/

[theoderich]

So arbeiteten Deutschland und Großbritannien bereits eng zusammen bei Projekten wie dem neuen Artilleriesystem (RCH 155) und beim Radpanzer Boxer.

https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/ ... ak-2272872