British soldiers are set to benefit from 623 new state-of-the-art Boxer armoured vehicles, as the first fully British-made Boxer was unveiled at the International Armoured Vehicle Conference in Farnborough.
The Boxer programme provides a huge boost to British industry, supporting around 400 jobs in Telford and Stockport, and a thousand across the UK supply chain, supporting the Government’s growth mission.
Delivering on the government’s Plan for Change, the Ministry of Defence is also developing a Defence Industrial Strategy to grow defence jobs in every region and nation.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, unveiled the vehicle today at the International Armoured Vehicle conference. Around 75% of Boxer’s components are sourced domestically, ensuring a resilient domestic supply.
Some initial UK Boxer production is underway in Germany, whilst the manufacture transfers to the UK in parallel with the Government’s drive to increase the UK’s role in manufacturing more new vehicles. The production of Boxer builds on the Trinity House agreement, which fosters a common interest to better meet the defence challenges of the 21st Century.
£5 billion is being invested in equipping the British Army with 623 Boxer armoured vehicles, alongside 148 Challenger 3 tanks, which are expected to be in service by the end of 2030. These investments continue to solidify the UK’s position as a global leader in defence innovation and manufacturing and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change.
The production of the Army’s three new platforms – Ajax, Boxer and Challenger 3 combined – will create and sustain more than 6,000 jobs nationally.
It will also help UK troops move more rapidly by transporting soldiers, to and around the battlefield, enabling them to conduct their special-to-arm roles. Boxers can be rapidly adapted to suit various military missions, roles and scenarios across many theatres of operations globally.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:
“It was a pleasure to unveil the first fully British-made Boxer – a testament to the expertise and innovation of Britain’s growing Defence Industry. The home-grown production of this world-class vehicle exemplifies our Government’s Plan for Change, deepening our partnership with industry to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and drive growth across the UK.”