The first of 623 Boxer armoured fighting vehicles has been unveiled in the UK, part of a long-awaited GBP2.8 billion programme.

The first “fully British-made” Boxer vehicle has been unveiled on 21 January at the International Armoured Vehicle Conference in Farnborough, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

This eight-by-eight, all-terrain armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is the first of 623 Boxers due to be delivered over the next few years. It marks the initial delivery stage of a GBP2.8 billion contract awarded to Rheinmetall and KNDS in November 2019, when the two German companies formed the ARTEC joint venture.

Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, described Boxer as a “testament to the expertise and innovation of Britain’s growing defence industry”.

When comparing the UK variant of Boxer to those in Australia, Germany, Lithuania and the Netherlands, Eagle claimed it can “credibly be seen as the leading Boxer variant on the market”.

The MoD said Boxer has a top speed of 103 km/h and a total range of 1,100 km. UK armed forces will reportedly have 27 Boxers in service at Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by the end of the year. Boxer will reach Full Operating Capability (FOC) in 2032.

The Boxer AFV on display in Farnborough was manufactured by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land in Telford, with collaboration from KNDS UK in Stockport. Other UK-based companies involved in Boxer’s manufacturing include Rolls-Royce, Thales UK, Pearson Engineering, William Cook Engineering, Mildef and Oxley Group.

John Abunassar, CEO of Rheinmetall Defence UK, described Boxer’s unveiling as “a historic moment for UK defence manufacturing”.

“It not only symbolises the return of armoured vehicle production to British soil but also underscores Rheinmetall’s commitment to delivering sovereign capability, innovation, and economic prosperity for the UK,” Abunassar added.

KNDS UK had not responded to DSEI’s request for comment at the time of publication.