PRESS RELEASE
Additional 69 BOXER RCT30 Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicles for Germany and the Netherlands
Munich, August 07, 2026 – ARTEC, a joint venture between KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall, has been commissioned by the procurement agency OCCAR* to procure a total of 69 additional RCT30 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles for the German and Dutch armed forces. This is the exercise of the option under the contract concluded in 2025 for 222 systems. The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), which had ordered 150 BOXER RCT30 vehicles, will now receive an additional 35 vehicles. With the additional 34 systems, the Royal Netherlands Army will have a total of 106 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles.
“For decades, we have been a proud partner of the Dutch Army. Whether it is the LEOPARD 2 or the BOXER-System, to name just the most recent procurement programs that Germany and the Netherlands have carried out together. This demonstrates what European cooperation can achieve. Joint procurement of a system and the resulting higher production volumes not only enable faster deliveries. It also has a direct, positive impact on training and logistics and guarantees interoperability between the armed forces. KNDS, as a European company, stands for exactly this,” said Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland.
Foto: KNDS BOXER RCT30
The BOXER RCT30, developed by KNDS, will form the backbone of the new “Medium Forces.” The combination of the proven BOXER, already in service with seven nations, and the 30 mm turret from the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle enables the engagement of moving targets, even while on the move. In addition, the new wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, designated “Schakal” by the Bundeswehr, is capable of countering drones and aircraft. Equipped with the integrated MELLS anti-tank system, a lightweight, multi-role guided missile system, the BOXER RCT30 can also successfully engage main battle tanks. With a dismount capacity of six soldiers, the “Schakal” is the primary weapon system of the mechanized infantry in the “Medium Forces.”
With Germany and the Netherlands joining as new user nations, the BOXER RCT 30 is now under contract with four nations.
About KNDS
KNDS is a leading pan-European land defense company, uniting nearly 11,000 employees and generating €4.4 billion in revenue in 2025. With a strong order backlog of €33.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, the group delivers innovative complete mission solutions built on state-of-the art technologies. Leveraging deep industrial expertise and strong partnerships, KNDS develops open, interoperable solutions combining manned and unmanned systems, designed to meet tomorrow’s operational challenges. As a prime contractor, it provides full system-of-systems capabilities, from platforms to ammunition and services, managing the entire value chain and encompassing complete product life cycles.
Born from the alliance of Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, KNDS embodies the path toward a collective and efficient future for the sovereignty of Europe’s defense by supporting the standardization and interoperability between European and NATO forces.
Trusted by 40+ armies worldwide, including 24 European armed forces, KNDS benefits from decades of combat-proven experience. KNDS embodies a united, efficient model to enhance stability and long-term security in Europe and beyond.
*About OCCAR
OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) is an international organisation that facilitates and manages cooperative defence equipment programmes throughout their entire life cycle on behalf of its participating states. Acting as the contracting authority for the programmes under its management, OCCAR oversees the development, acquisition, delivery and in-service support of a broad portfolio of multinational defence programmes. OCCAR's current member states are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.occar.int .
Press Contact
Christian Budde
Pressesprecher / Press Officer
E-Mail: christian.budde@knds.de
T +49 89 8140 5498
M: +49 160 588 3254
