Germany and Netherlands Expand Boxer Schakal Fleet With Firepower Drawn From Tracked Puma Vehicles.

Germany and the Netherlands are expanding their joint armored vehicle modernization program with an additional order for 69 Schakal 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, combining the Boxer platform with the Puma's combat turret. The contract strengthens both armies' plans to equip medium forces with mobile and heavily armed infantry platforms capable of operating across European theaters.

The Boxer RCT30 combines the Boxer 8x8 armored chassis with the Puma-derived 30 mm turret, forming the basis of the Schakal infantry fighting vehicle ordered by Germany and the Netherlands. (Picture source: Netherlands Ministry of Defence)

The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has commissioned Artec GmbH to supply 35 additional vehicles to the German Bundeswehr and 34 to the Royal Netherlands Army. Artec, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland, serves as the Boxer program's prime contractor. Rheinmetall values its share of the two option orders in the mid-hundreds of millions of euros, with deliveries scheduled over a period extending into the next decade.

According to a Rheinmetall press release published on October 29, 2026, the vehicles are scheduled for delivery between May 2032 and November 2033. The latest procurement follows the initial contract awarded in October 2025 for 222 vehicles, comprising 150 for Germany and 72 for the Netherlands, with options for up to 200 additional units. Germany's Bundestag Budget Committee approved the first option activation on June 24, 2026, bringing the combined order to 291 Schakal vehicles, including 185 for Germany and 106 for the Netherlands.

Boxer Mobility Combined With Puma Firepower

The Schakal, also designated Boxer RCT30, combines the Boxer 8x8 armored chassis with the remotely controlled RCT30 turret developed for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. This configuration brings tracked-vehicle firepower to a wheeled platform designed for extended road movements. Its modular construction also allows both armies to retain logistical commonality with existing Boxer variants, reducing maintenance and training requirements.

The vehicle's primary armament consists of Rheinmetall's 30 mm MK 30-2/ABM automatic cannon, capable of firing programmable airburst ammunition against infantry, lightly armored vehicles, and aerial threats, including drones and helicopters. A coaxial machine gun complements the cannon, while SPIKE LR2 anti-tank guided missiles provide an additional capability against heavily armored targets. This combination allows the Schakal to engage different types of threats without depending entirely on supporting armored units.

The Schakal also introduces an upgraded Boxer chassis with engine output increased from 530 kW to 600 kW, partly to accommodate the heavier turret. An improved Driver Vision System combines cameras, sensors and image-processing technology to improve situational awareness. The standardized chassis is intended for wider adoption across the Boxer family, facilitating maintenance and interoperability between participating countries.

Another characteristic is its unmanned turret architecture, which allows the cannon to be operated from within the protected vehicle compartment. The platform can carry six dismounted infantry soldiers alongside its crew. Its drone-detection capabilities have also been adapted following lessons from Ukraine, where the increasing use of fiber-optic-controlled drones has complicated conventional electronic warfare measures. Detection requirements were consequently expanded to address these emerging threats.

Strengthening German and Dutch Mechanized Forces

For the Bundeswehr, the Schakal supports the development of its Medium Forces, formations intended to combine the strategic mobility of wheeled vehicles with sufficient protection and firepower for high-intensity operations. Unlike heavier tracked formations, these units can cover considerable distances using road networks, reducing dependence on heavy equipment transporters. Once deployed, the cannon and anti-tank missiles provide direct-fire support for infantry maneuver, defensive engagements and operations against enemy armored reconnaissance elements. Nevertheless, difficult terrain, mines and concentrated anti-armor fire remain important operational constraints.

The Netherlands plans to assign its Schakal vehicles to the 13th Light Brigade based in Oirschot, supporting its transformation into a medium combat brigade. The vehicles will replace Boxer variants armed with .50-caliber machine guns in the 17th and 42nd Armored Infantry Battalions. These existing platforms provide primarily close-range protection, while the Schakal introduces greater firepower and the ability to engage drones and armored threats. The first platoons are expected to receive their vehicles in 2029.

Adopting largely identical configurations also offers opportunities for joint training, maintenance and ammunition supply. The Dutch vehicles will differ principally through their national radio equipment, while other major components remain common with German versions. This arrangement facilitates multinational deployments and reduces the logistical complications associated with operating different armored vehicle fleets within NATO formations.

European Defense Cooperation and Industrial Capacity

The industrial dimension extends beyond Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland. German suppliers including MTU and Hensoldt contribute to the program, while Rheinmetall Defence Nederland manufactures part of the Boxer chassis production in Ede. The procurement arrangement also covers spare parts, training and support, providing both armies with a common sustainment framework. Rheinmetall additionally identifies the prospective Arminius Boxer program as a potential opportunity to accelerate production if further orders are placed.

At the European level, the German-Dutch Schakal program illustrates how joint procurement can support NATO's efforts to rebuild conventional land capabilities as Russia's war against Ukraine continues to reshape regional security priorities. Beyond the additional 69 vehicles, the decision reinforces a common armored vehicle architecture between two allies while responding to lessons concerning drone warfare, mobile firepower and battlefield survivability. Its strategic value will ultimately depend on production schedules, integration into operational formations, and the capacity to sustain mechanized forces during prolonged high-intensity conflict.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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