The European defence organisation OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement) has commissioned Artec GmbH to deliver a total of 222 Schakal (Jackal) infantry fighting vehicles to the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands.
This new combat vehicle combines the chassis of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle with the turret of the tracked Puma infantry fighting vehicle.
The main contractor for the Boxer is Artec GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Germany. 150 Schakal vehicles are to be delivered to the German Armed Forces and 72 to the Dutch Army. The total order for the German and Dutch armies is worth €4.7 billion gross, with Rheinmetall’s share amounting to almost €3.4 billion.
The contract also includes a logistics package containing spare parts, training materials, and specialised tools. Furthermore, it covers optional additional services such as protection against anti-tank hand weapons, firing attack detection and firing attack identification as well as drone defence. The call-off of up to 248 additional vehicles is also included as an option.
Within the German Armed Forces, the Schakal armoured infantry fighting vehicle, consisting of the 8×8 Boxer platform and the 30mm Puma turret with Rheinmetall’s MK 30-2/ABM machine gun, is the main weapon system for the Army’s newly established medium forces.
The new armoured personnel carrier combines mobility, protection and firepower to the highest degree. This enables the medium forces to cover large distances at own pace within the shortest possible time. The 30mm turret allows a wide variety of targets to be effectively combated in dynamic combat situations.
Artec GmbH, a 64:36 joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS, is also to be the future main contractor for the RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 Millimetre), yet another combination of the proven drive module of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle and equipped with the weapon system of the Panzerhaubitze PzH 2000.
