The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has signed an agreement with Rheinmetall and KNDS to purchase 27 additional Boxer fighting vehicles on behalf of Lithuania.
The 370-million-euro ($401.5 million) deal is part of Vilnius’ effort to employ new Boxer engineering variants in addition to the 89 platforms distributed in January 2024 across the Duke Algirdas Infantry Battalion and the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion under the Lithuanian Army’s Iron Wolf Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
OCCAR’s package will include logistics support, spare parts, maintenance, equipment, and associated training services.
Work for the contract will be performed by Rheinmetall and KNDS’ Munich-based joint venture Artec, with deliveries expected from 2027 to 2029.
Once integrated, they will be designated as “Vilkas” or “Wolves” similar to the first tranche of Boxers.
“The Lithuanian Armed Forces have been upgrading at a quick pace over the past four years: we have significant improvements to land maneuver and combat power, indirect fire support and air defence capabilities,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas stated.
“The new batch of the ‘Wolves’ dedicated for the Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf will not only raise the quality of task implementation but will also add possibilities for IFV driver training, command and control and demining.”
Common European Military Fleet
Lithuania’s Boxer vehicle expansion is supported by OCCAR’s ongoing program to supply a common fleet across Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and the UK.
Vilnius joined the effort in 2016 with five different variants planned. The government then began negotiations for 120 Boxers in April 2022.
Through the latest agreement, OCCAR and industry partner Artec will realize more than 1,350 Boxer deliveries to member nations.
“The BOXER Programme is at an exciting phase with additional funding becoming available and this was therefore a significant first step to deliver new and state-of-the-art BOXER variants and activities,” OCCAR said in the procurement announcement.
“A number of procurements are underway on behalf of all other BOXER Nations and further details are expected to be announced in the coming months.”
The Boxer-Vilkas Combat Vehicle
Lithuania’s Boxer-Vilkas vehicle measures 8 meters (26 feet) long and can accommodate up to seven personnel.
It is protected by NATO-standard all-welded steel armor that can withstand up to 30-millimeter ammunition.
Users can outfit the platform with a medium-caliber gun, a heavy machine gun, and an automatic grenade launcher.
The vehicle is powered by an MTU 8V engine for speeds over 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour and a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).