The British Army has officially received its first 8×8 Boxer armored vehicle built entirely in the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in domestic defense manufacturing. The vehicle, revealed earlier this year at an international defense conference, was produced at Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land’s Telford facility and delivered to Bovington for training and maintenance familiarization.
This delivery forms part of a £5 billion ($6.1 billion) program to equip the British Army with 623 Boxer vehicles and 148 Challenger 3 main battle tanks by 2030. The acquisition is designed to enhance the army’s operational readiness and modernize its armored fleet in line with the UK’s future defense strategy.
The achievement also represents the UK’s first domestically produced armored vehicle in over a decade, following the conclusion of BAE Systems’ Terrier armored fighting vehicle production in 2013. The modular 8×8 wheeled Boxer will become a core component of the army’s Strike Brigades, units tasked with the rapid deployment of troops and mission systems across challenging terrain.
Measuring 7.93 meters in length, 2.37 meters in height, and 2.99 meters in width, the vehicle accommodates up to 11 personnel. It can reach speeds of 103 kilometers per hour and travel 1,050 kilometers on a single tank, ensuring mobility and endurance for long-range operations
