At the British Army Expo 2025, the UK officially presented the Boxer 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle as its next-generation Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV). The platform is set to become the backbone of the Army’s Strike Brigades, marking a decisive step in the modernization of Britain’s ground forces.
The Boxer’s standout feature is its modular design, which allows a single drive module to be paired with multiple mission modules. This enables quick adaptation for roles such as troop transport, command and control, medical evacuation, indirect fire support, and electronic warfare. Its versatility, combined with advanced protection systems and NATO interoperability, positions Boxer as a central element of the UK’s land warfare strategy for decades to come.
The programme represents the British Army’s largest armored vehicle acquisition in decades, with an initial £2.8 billion contract signed in 2019 for 523 vehicles. An additional 100 were ordered in 2022, bringing the total fleet to 623 vehicles. Production is carried out by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and WFEL in the UK, ensuring 60% domestic content and supporting over 1,000 skilled jobs—strengthening the UK’s defense industrial base.
The fleet will include a wide variety of mission-specific versions: infantry carriers, command vehicles, engineering support, repair and recovery, mortar carriers, reconnaissance fire support, artillery observation posts, electronic warfare, and ambulances. This diverse structure guarantees that the Boxer can support the full spectrum of mechanised operations.
Compared to older tracked platforms like the FV432 and Warrior, Boxer offers a generational leap. With a combat weight of 38 tonnes, top speeds of around 100 km/h, and superior protection against mines, IEDs, and medium-caliber weapons, it combines survivability with mobility. Its architecture also enables the integration of emerging technologies, ensuring relevance well into the 2050s.
The UK’s shift from tracked to wheeled vehicles also reflects operational needs: wheeled platforms like Boxer can self-deploy over long distances, consume less fuel, and require lower maintenance. This reduces logistical strain while increasing strategic mobility, especially in NATO operations across Europe.
The programme has already achieved major milestones. Verification trials began in 2024, and in January 2025, the first UK-built Boxer rolled out of the RBSL factory. Deliveries are ongoing, with Initial Operational Capability expected before the end of 2025 and Full Operational Capability by 2032, when Boxer will fully replace Warrior and FV432.
The unveiling of Boxer at Expo 2025 was more than just a new vehicle debut. It symbolized a strategic shift in how the British Army equips, sustains, and deploys its forces: emphasizing speed, flexibility, resilience, and digital integration for future conflicts.
