Germany and the Netherlands have signed a €4.5 billion contract for 222 Boxer RCT 30 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles. The order includes 150 Schakal variants for the Bundeswehr and 72 vehicles for the Dutch Army, with deliveries expected from late 2027. The vehicles will form the backbone of new binational medium brigades, bridging the gap between heavy Leopard 2 units and lighter wheeled formations in NATO’s land posture.
Schakal Vehicles for Medium Brigades
The Schakal order turns the medium forces concept into deployable combat power. Built on the Boxer 8×8 chassis, the RCT 30 remote turret and MELLS anti-tank missile system provide IFV-level firepower, counter-drone capability, and high operational mobility.
Vehicle Features and Armament
- RCT 30 Remote Turret: Stabilized 360° firing, day/night optronics, digital fire-control system
- MK30-2/ABM 30mm autocannon: Armour-piercing and programmable airburst rounds
- MELLS: Guided anti-tank missile with 4–5.5 km range
- Crew: 3 + 6 dismounted infantry
This combination delivers both full infantry capacity and high firepower in a single 8×8 platform.
Tactical Employment and Operational Flexibility
Schakal serves as the primary combat vehicle for grenadier units in medium formations. Vehicles provide protection against artillery fragments, IEDs, and drone attacks while retaining mobility to reinforce threatened sectors or secure high-value assets.
The RCT 30 turret provides anti-tank and short-range drone defense, while modern C4I systems feed real-time tracks into the Recognized Maritime/Land Common Operational Picture (RMP/COP).
Contribution to European Defence Industry
The order strengthens shared 8×8 production across KNDS, Rheinmetall, and subcontractors, enhancing interoperability for NATO operations. With MELLS and modern 30mm guns, the Schakal demonstrates that European medium units are prepared for high-intensity combat, setting a reference for NATO land forces’ future deployments.
