Germany and the Netherlands have ordered 69 additional Schakal wheeled infantry fighting vehicles under a joint European defense program, expanding their planned fleet to 291 units.
The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) awarded the order to Artec, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland. The order covers 35 vehicles for the German Bundeswehr and 34 for the Royal Netherlands Army.
Rheinmetall said the two option call-offs have a combined value in the mid-three-digit million-euro range. Deliveries are currently scheduled between May 2032 and November 2033.
The original contract, awarded in October 2025, covered 222 vehicles and included options for up to 200 more. With the latest orders, the total number of Schakal vehicles under the program rises to 291.
“The activation of additional options for the Schakal confirms our customers’ confidence in this state-of-the-art system,” Björn Bernhard, Head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division, said.
Schakal
The Schakal is an 8×8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle that combines the chassis of the Boxer armored vehicle with the turret of the tracked Puma infantry fighting vehicle.
The combination is intended to give medium forces the mobility of a wheeled platform while retaining the firepower and protection of an infantry fighting vehicle. Its 8×8 configuration allows it to cover long distances, while the Boxer platform’s modular design supports different mission configurations.
Its main armament is the Rheinmetall MK 30-2/ABM 30mm automatic cannon, complemented by MELLS anti-tank guided missiles. The vehicle also features digital networking and modern fire-control systems.
Schakal can carry a fully equipped infantry squad, according to Rheinmetall. Sharing the Boxer vehicle family also allows the German and Dutch armed forces to use common training, logistics, and maintenance arrangements.
