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| BAE Systems/Patria AMV35 |
by Gordon Arthur
The Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 2 programme for combat reconnaissance vehicles attracted top attention at Land Forces 2016 in Adelaide, with the field now narrowed to the Rheinmetall Boxer and BAE Systems/Patria AMV35.
Both contenders had their 8x8 vehicles on display in a three-colour AusCam paint scheme. The competition is now in its risk mitigation activity phase.
The Boxer was fitted with a two-man Lance turret featuring a 35mm cannon and dual Spike anti-tank guided missiles. The 35mm cannon was offered as an option instead of the more typical Mauser 30mm Mk 30-2 gun. The hull-Lance turret combination was first exhibited in 2010, at which time it was being proposed to the Canadians.
The Spanish use this turret on their Piranha III vehicles. The turret is protected to the same degree as the hull, with Rheinmetall able to manufacture the turret, optics, gun barrel and ammunition itself.
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| Rheinmetall Boxer |
A Rheinmetall spokesman said the Boxer, powered by a 720hp MTU engine, was designed to operate with Leopard 2 tanks and so possesses extremely high mobility. Interestingly, the driver is seated on the right side of the hull.
It employs a modular design, with the drive module 100% in common with German Army vehicles. The spokesman highlighted its ballistic protection, possessing mine-blast protection and multi-layered protection.
Read the full story at Shephard