KNDS developed the Boxer tracked infantry fighting vehicle with the RCT30 combat module.

Several years ago, the German-French company KNDS unveiled a promising platform for building a variety of armored combat vehicles—the Boxer Tracked tracked chassis. Several variants of vehicles in various classes, differing in equipment and armament, were subsequently developed based on this platform. Recently, they unveiled the latest model from this family. This time, it's a tracked infantry fighting vehicle with the RCT30 weapon station.

Another member of the family

In February, the Enforce Tac 2026 military technology exhibition took place in Germany. As a leading German arms and military equipment manufacturer, KNDS couldn't miss the event. It prepared a prominent exhibit for the exhibition, including several exciting new products.

The main innovation from KNDS was a new version of the Boxer Tracked chassis. Military personnel and specialists were shown the first-ever infantry fighting vehicle based on this chassis, equipped with an RCT30 weapon station armed with a cannon and machine gun. The initial demonstration at the exhibition marks the beginning of a marketing campaign and customer search.

The tracked version of the Boxer chassis and the RCT30 module are generally well known to specialists and potential buyers. These products have been repeatedly demonstrated at various exhibitions both in Germany and abroad. KNDS also presented various tracked chassis configurations and weapon station applications.

The advantages of these two products are well known. Now the developer has decided to combine them in a new project. The resulting IFV boasts a high level of ballistic and mine protection, excellent performance, maneuverability, and capacity. Its firepower and overall combat capabilities have also been improved.

At the same time, the new Boxer RCT30 IFV is as unified as possible with other KNDS vehicles. This should improve its economic and operational performance. The developer hopes to attract potential buyers with these advantages.

The success of the new IFV's advertising campaign remains to be seen. However, KNDS is counting on military interest and plans to launch full-scale serial production of both the new tracked platform and military vehicles based on it. The start date for these vehicles depends on the receipt of orders.

Tracked base

It's worth noting that KNDS has been producing another armored vehicle called the Boxer for quite some time. It's a four-axle wheeled platform capable of carrying various hull or superstructure options. In the second half of the 2010s, the decision was made to develop a tracked armored vehicle utilizing some of the components and technologies of the wheeled Boxer.

The finished Boxer Tracked was first unveiled at an exhibition in 2022. By then, the design had been developed and a prototype had been manufactured. Work on this project continued, and KNDS regularly demonstrated various variants of combat and support vehicles based on the new tracked chassis. The vehicle was offered with various combat modules and weapons options.

The tracked Boxer received a unique welded armored hull, borrowing some ideas from the wheeled vehicle. The hull has a front-engine layout with the troop compartment located at the rear. The composite armor, which protects against small-caliber shells, has been retained. artillery (from the frontal projection) or from 14,5mm bullets and shrapnel (from any angle). Mine protection has been retained, but has been modified to account for the changed hull shape. Additional armor modules can be installed.

The Boxer Tracked is slightly shorter but wider than its wheeled counterpart. Its length does not exceed 7,6 meters and its width is 3,8 meters. The chassis's net weight has increased to 28 tons. The maximum combat weight, depending on equipment and armament, is limited to 45 tons.

The chassis is powered by a 1200 hp MTU 881 Ka-501 CR diesel engine. It is coupled to a Renk HSWL 256 automatic transmission with six forward and reverse speeds. The undercarriage includes six pairs of road wheels with hydropneumatic suspension.

A tracked armored vehicle is inferior to a wheeled vehicle in terms of speed and dynamics. Its maximum speed is only 70 km/h. Its cruising range is 500 km. However, the Boxer Tracked boasts superior off-road capabilities. This chassis can cross trenches 2,5 meters wide and climb walls 800 mm high. It can ford water obstacles up to 1,8 meters deep.

The chassis body is designed to house only a single-seat driver's compartment. The remaining crew and troop positions are to be accommodated in so-called mission modules. These are separate units mounted in the rear of the chassis and equipped with the necessary design and equipment.

For example, the recently unveiled IFV uses a module housing the troop compartment. It houses the vehicle commander and gunner, along with eight troops. Access is provided via a rear ramp and roof hatches. A weapon station is mounted on top of this hull.

Cannon and machine gun armament

The RCT30 combat module was originally developed for the Puma tracked infantry fighting vehicle. This vehicle has been in service with the Bundeswehr for some time and has received positive reviews. Positive operational experience with these IFVs led to an order for the RCT30 to be installed on Boxer wheeled armored vehicles. Production is scheduled for 2024-25.

Now, KNDS has voluntarily equipped a new tracked platform with similar armament. It is expected that this IFV configuration will attract interest from the German army and facilitate orders. Furthermore, the new Boxer variant may find other customers.

The RCT30 is an unmanned remotely controlled weapon station. It is designed as an asymmetrical turret housing weapon and ammunition. All module components are located above the hull ring, taking up no space inside the carrier vehicle. The module's design allows for 360-degree traverse and elevation angles from -10° to +45°.

The module's starboard side houses an oscillating mount with a 30mm Mauser MK 30-2 automatic cannon and a 5,56mm MG4 machine gun. The cannon has a rate of fire of up to 200 rounds per minute and an effective range of 3 km. It uses a bidirectional ammunition feed system, allowing for the use of different projectile types, including rapid switching between them.

At the customer’s request, the RCT30 module can be equipped with controlled rocketsFor example, a prototype IFV for a recent exhibition was proposed to be equipped with Israeli-made Spike-LR missiles. Other types of weapons may also be used.

The module is equipped with a digital fire control system with all necessary components. It includes day and night optics, a laser rangefinder, a stabilizer, and more. Furthermore, the RCT30 connects to the carrier vehicle's standard communications equipment, allowing it to receive target designation from outside.

Best qualities

The basic idea behind KNDS's new project is quite simple. The company combined two of its existing projects to achieve a favorable combination of characteristics, technical, and combat capabilities. The resulting product, thanks to its advantages, should appeal to potential customers such as the Bundeswehr and other armies. Furthermore, the developer did not have to redesign complex components and assemblies.

Indeed, the resulting IFV has obvious advantages and benefits. For example, the Boxer's tracked chassis provides high mobility and cross-country ability, while also protecting the crew from various threats. At the same time, the combat module should offer excellent firepower and the ability to engage a variety of ground and air targets.

A key feature of the Boxer Tracked RCT30 is its complete compatibility with existing models in service with the Bundeswehr and other armies. This will simplify the development and operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, potential maintenance costs for the entire armored vehicle fleet will be reduced, despite the use of different vehicle types.

However, the new KNDS IFV may not find a buyer. It's targeting a niche already occupied by numerous modern armored vehicles, including German designs. Potential customers for the tracked Boxer have already had their choice of competing models and no longer require it.

Whether the tracked Boxer with the RCT30 combat module will find a buyer and reach serial production remains to be seen. However, such an IFV is of interest, at least from the standpoint of development approaches and engineering challenges. Whether this will be sufficient for commercial success remains a big question.

Comments

[air wolf]

I watched videos of the 12,7 turret shooting at the M113. I understand the concept of Soviet generals, making infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers amphibious, but with drones. They need a turtle with rolled 45 mm armor and dynamic protection all around and on top, and instead of a 30 mm cannon, they need a robotic anti-drone turret with a 7,62 GShG with machine vision. An ATGM and a grenade launcher can be used as a strike weapon.
I remember 🤔 in the AV department, they showed us a movie about how their GShG from the Ka-29 fired from 1 km at a target like a GAZ-51 car and the announcer said the probability of hitting was one 🤔 really a bunch of bullets pierced the entire car, a beautiful sight.

[IVZ]

Is it 3,8 meters wide? Or does that include removable hanging modules? How else would it be transported?

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Access to the interior is provided by a stern ramp and hatches in the roof.
In the photograph, only one hatch is visible at the back and front to the right of the turret, apparently the commander's.
On a hot summer day, there's practically nowhere to stick your head out. Even in a BMP-3, you can open the doors and have the entire landing force positioned outside. Our marines often did that.

[PROXOR]

Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich

On a hot summer day, there will essentially be nowhere to stick your head out.

They don't need it. They have normal air conditioning systems in their cars.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

There are many reasons why people lean out and ride on armor. But the most important one, particularly characteristic of Afghanistan, is often overlooked: the ability to spot a grenade launcher's shot and have time to command "stop" or, conversely, to move and avoid the grenade being fired.
And riding inside is when it’s completely safe, or, on the contrary, only shrapnel flies around during an artillery attack.
Still, there are so few motorized riflemen in the comments here. And the other soldiers perceive reality completely differently.

[PROXOR]

Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich

Still, there are so few motorized riflemen in the comments here. And the other soldiers perceive reality completely differently.

Let's start with the fact that the situations you described are typical for our army. And they're typical not because they're necessary, but because we're constantly failing at reconnaissance and combat preparation. NATO never pushes armored vehicles into situations where they can absolutely destroy. The infamous "Ranger Day" operation of October 1993 clearly demonstrated that such situations can and do occur in combat with "partisans." For this purpose, NATO countries used AC-130s with onboard weapons before the UAV era, and then combat and reconnaissance UAVs appeared in large numbers. But here in 2022, it's like a parade along every highway, without reconnaissance. Moreover, the events of the five-day war of 2008 have given our degenerates no food for thought.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

I don’t even know how to answer; I can’t cope with such a flow of strategic knowledge.
There is a participant in the discussions here with an outstanding strategic vision of the situation and a weak knowledge of tactics, but you are far from him.

[PROXOR]

You can be as sarcastic as you like, but your knowledge of Motorized Rifle is already outdated. And the SVO has clearly demonstrated this. Say what you want, but a Bradley survives better in barbecues and netting and allows the crew to escape from a damaged vehicle unharmed than the explosive ammo packs on our BMP3s. These days, BMP3s don't even carry 100mm ammo packs.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Unlike you, I don't consider myself a great strategist. In my opinion, both the 2008 campaign and the initial operation in 2022 were executed almost flawlessly. In 2022, we used the forces we had available; the mistake was delaying mobilization, which prevented us from consolidating our positions. The situation in and around Kharkiv during the first days is a subject for a separate discussion.

[PROXOR]

I recommend rewatching the 2008 documentary. And remember the debacle of early 2022 on the approach to Kyiv in Bucha. Maybe your eyes will open a little. In both cases, the Russian convoy was ambushed, and the overhead hatches didn't help identify the enemy in advance. What would have definitely helped would have been well-designed reconnaissance using drones, especially since the use of Mavics began well before 2022. The Russian Armed Forces, however, had only Pchelkas, and they were afraid to give them to the troops in case they were destroyed.

[Cympak]

Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich

In my opinion, both the 2008 campaign and the 2022 initial operation were executed almost flawlessly.

And then we are surprised again and again by yet another "dancing on a rake" and unlearned lessons from previous conflicts.
"Everything is fine, beautiful Marquise, and things are going well with us..."

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Look how smart you are! Well, I'll be damned, the generals have no one to consult with, and such talents go to waste here.

[commbatant]

Quote: PROXOR

Bradleys in barbecues and nets survive better and allow the crew to escape from a damaged vehicle unharmed than the exploding ammo on our BMP3s.

The American Bradley IFV was originally designed not as an IFV, but as a combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV). Essentially, the Bradley is a heavy IFV for a BTD/MD, which is capable of operating in the combat formations of a MBT, both an IFV and an SPG (which performed well in Iraq), a command post, etc.
All other NATO countries made light infantry fighting vehicles, just like we did with the Marders, Warriors, AMX-10, etc., for the European theater of operations.
BMP-3s should have appeared in the SA back in the 80s. Now, taking into account the air defense, they can be used with the new 57mm gun, along with heavy IFVs based on the MBT. While we are doing this and coming up with a concept for their use (ignoring the IDF's experience), the US will already have built a "Death Star" and the participants in the military mortgage will throw up their hands again...

It will be interesting to see how the American 1st and 3rd Airborne Regiments, 82nd Airborne Division, and 10th Light Infantry Division (G) will take the mountain ranges and coast of Iran under UAV strikes... but the US armored fighting vehicles there will be wheeled...

[karabas-barabas]

The Marder isn't a light IFV and is likely better protected than the Bradley in its basic form, as, unlike the Bradley, it was originally built from armored steel rather than aluminum alloys. The Marder was designed specifically to operate alongside tanks. The Bradley has been heavily beefed up and reinforced over time, through upgrades and combat experience, but the Bradley was originally designed to be able to swim. There's an instance of a Marder being blown up by a large, 100-kilogram IED in Afghanistan. Of the nine crew members, seven or eight survived, albeit with serious injuries. The vehicle was thrown so hard that its nose sank into the sand, but the hull withstood the blast, saving lives.

[PROXOR]

What difference does it make how and why they were built? What's needed is crew and troop survivability. And the Bredlja does it with flying colors. It's not as mobile as our three-man crew, but if we add a comparable amount of weight to the three-man crew, it won't be able to move quickly across the battlefield.
And we have vehicles like Bradleys. Take the T-15, for example, based on the Armata.

[Yuliy]

"Scary tank", in my opinion it's an M113 with a Puma turret

[dragon772]

The body configuration is very similar to the Puma.

[Phoenix Point]

Have you solved the leaky hatch problem? Made in Germany—backward and dull crap. And naturally, there won't be any buyers. They'll choose the worst and most inferior. I especially liked this: "Furthermore, potential maintenance costs for the entire armored vehicle fleet will be reduced, despite the use of different types of vehicles." History lessons are not for the gloomy Teutonic genius.

[karabas-barabas]

Quote: Phoenix Point

And naturally there will be no buyers

There are waiting lists for all KNDS products, and contracts are scheduled for decades.

Quote: Phoenix Point

I especially liked the part about "Furthermore, the potential costs of servicing the entire fleet of armored vehicles will be reduced, despite the use of different types of equipment."))) History lessons are not for the gloomy Teutonic genius.)))

What lessons are these? A key feature of the Boxer platform is its interchangeability. An army already armed with Boxers can swap modules from wheeled to tracked platforms, and vice versa, depending on needs, theater of operations, tactics, and so on. The only difference between a tracked and a wheeled platform is the tracks and wheels themselves; everything else is identical.

[Inj Meh]

Quote: karabas-barabas

An army already armed with Boxers can swap modules from wheeled to tracked platforms and vice versa, depending on needs, theater of operations, tactics, etc. The tracked platform differs from the wheeled platform only in the tracks and wheels; everything else is identical.
.

By the way, this is not a fact, as far as I remember the interior of the wheeled boxer platform.

The space between wheels should be smaller than the space between tracks, and there may be variations in length and overall width for sure.

You need to look at the modules themselves.

They are definitely not standardized to the dimensions and fastenings of ISO containers.

Well, at first glance it doesn't seem like it.

I would solve this within the framework of compliance with ISO container standards (8 feet 2438 mm wide), but there is a problem that this is too wide even for the inter-track space, and too narrow for the over-wheel and fender space.

So, destandardization and the selection of a new module width standard (or, I would even say, a set of module widths) are in jeopardy. And all of this must be compatible, at a minimum, with the railway clearance and a set of built-in and external armoring.

It seems like the 10 or 12 foot width should be interesting because it stacks relatively easily with standard 8 foot containers both lengthwise and crosswise.

But this naturally imposes complications on the technology of loading and unloading operations.

Although it offers potential benefits in terms of both warehouse optimization through stacking and chassis reduction, with greater mission flexibility.

A separate issue is the replacement of modules in the field via self-loading and self-unloading. (Which, of course, is what truly defines mission flexibility, given the availability of a fleet of different modules.)

[commbatant]

The BMP was apparently not finished; the space between the turrets had to be painted with reflective paint for the convenience of the enemy anti-tank missile system operator.

[Cympak]

The article doesn't cover the key feature of the KNDS Group Boxer-based combat vehicles: modularity. The Boxer's key feature is that it consists of a chassis, engine compartment, control compartment, and a replaceable module. By swapping modules, you can create various vehicle variants: armored personnel carrier (APC), infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), ambulance, command vehicle, mortar carrier, self-propelled gun, engineering vehicle—there are so many options. In other words, it's not just a remote-controlled weapon station turret mounted on the vehicle; it's a complete IFV module, including the weapon station and troop compartment, mounted on the chassis. In the photographs included with the article, it's distinguished by its olive green coloring compared to the desert-camouflaged chassis.