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First British-Made Boxer Presented at the International Armoured Vehicles Conference

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025

Today the first British-made Boxer vehicle was proudly unveiled by the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, at the International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) Conference. This significant milestone signals the return of large-scale armoured vehicle manufacturing to the UK, revitalising the nation’s defence capabilities, economic strength, and engineering excellence.

‘’Made in Britain’’ at Its Best

Manufactured entirely in the UK at Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in Telford, with the support of partners in KNDS UK, this ground breaking vehicle represents a true collaboration. Built under the UK’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) Programme, the Boxer’s journey to British soil began in 2019, when the Ministry of Defence awarded the contract via OCCAR to ARTEC GmbH – a partnership between Rheinmetall and KNDS, with the manufacture of the Boxer vehicles subcontracted to RBSL and KNDS UK.

This achievement is a true testament to the dedication and collaboration of all involved, including the British Army, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and industry partners. Their expertise and commitment have re-established the UK’s sovereign manufacturing capability.

Rheinmetall’s £56 million (approx. €66.3 million) investment in Telford has transformed the facility into a world leading production capability, complete with modern fabrication lines for armoured steel, advanced surface treatment systems, and integrated assembly lines for both Drive and Mission Modules. Every Boxer that rolls off the line is a testament to the highly skilled workforce across the supply chain.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:

“It was a pleasure to unveil the first fully British-made Boxer – a testament to the expertise and innovation of Britain’s growing Defence Industry.

“The home-grown production of this world-class vehicle exemplifies our Government’s Plan for Change, deepening our partnership with industry to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and drive growth across the UK.”

John Abunassar, CEO of Rheinmetall in the UK, added:

“The unveiling of the first British-made Boxer is a historic moment for UK defence manufacturing. It not only symbolises the return of armoured vehicle production to British soil but also underscores Rheinmetall’s commitment to delivering sovereign capability, innovation, and economic prosperity for the UK. Boxer is more than a vehicle – it’s a Future Force Enabler, ensuring the British Army is ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges while delivering real benefits today.”

Driving Economic Growth and Innovation

The Boxer programme is delivering economic and strategic impact, creating over 1,000 highly skilled jobs across engineering, development, and complex systems integration; with over 100 UK suppliers involved. Around 75% of Boxer’s components are sourced domestically, ensuring a resilient UK supply.

This investment strengthens the UK’s defence strategy while ensuring collaboration with NATO allies, positioning Boxer as a key player in regional security and interoperability.

Boxer: Ready for Tomorrow’s Challenges

Boxer isn’t just a vehicle – it’s designed for adaptability, resilience, and operational superiority, it delivers unmatched versatility to the British Army’s Future Force. With our Telford facility poised for volume production this year, Boxer is ready to roll out as a critical capability in an era of complex global security challenges.

The UK trials programme for Boxer is advancing successfully, with prototypes passing all tests on the first attempt. These trials, supported by ARTEC and KNDS, have included Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) assessments, live firing at Lulworth Ranges in Dorset, and extreme climatic evaluations at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. This flawless performance underscores Boxer’s exceptional reliability and operational readiness, even in the most challenging environments. Notably, the British Army has successfully tested the Boxer’s water-fording capabilities, demonstrating its stability and control in unprepared water crossings.

These achievements highlight the Boxer’s robust design and its readiness to meet the diverse operational demands of the British Armed Forces.

A New Chapter for UK Defence Manufacturing

The first British-built Boxer highlights the re-establishing armoured vehicle production on British soil. The Boxer programme is a symbol of what can be achieved through collaboration, investment, and a shared commitment to securing the future.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

ISTEC Selected to Provide the Smoke Discharger System (SDS) for the British Army’s New MLRS A2

Friday, January 17th, 2025

ISTEC Services Limited is a British company with 35 years of operationally proven experience in the design, manufacture and supply of complex weapon integration solutions and smoke discharger systems (SDS) for military platforms. ISTEC has been selected to provide the SDS for the British Army’s new M270 MLRS A2. At DVD, in September 2024, ISTEC announced the delivery of 65 GPMG gun mounts for MLRS A2 and the combined contract value supplied via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) catalogue exceeds £1.5 million.

ISTEC has a long history of delivering weapon integration solutions for crew-served weapons such as HMG and MMG across Land, Sea and Air domains and has an extensive operational pedigree having supplied gun mounts for key operational vehicles such as WMIK, Mastiff, Viking and Jackal used for Land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, ISTEC has also been providing bespoke platform SDS since 2018 and their systems have been fitted to specialist light strike vehicles so also have an extensive operationally proven pedigree.

An effective SDS is essential to enhance the MLRS A2’s survivability by providing rapid and effective smoke screens to obscure the vehicle from enemy observation and targeting. The smoke can be deployed quickly from under protection to create visual and infrared concealment, disrupting the enemy’s line-of-sight and guidance systems. This protection capability is crucial during manoeuvres in contact, allowing the vehicle to re-position while reducing the risk of being hit.

The new MLRS A2 will be fitted with the ISL 66SD/4 which is a four-barrel vehicle-mounted SDS capable of firing all natures of UK in-service 66mm munitions. However, ISTEC SDS can come in multiple configurations as required by the platform including 2, 3 and 4 barrel setups. The ISL 66SD range has been designed to ensure both the base plate and canister connectors are compatible with the UK in-service 66mm No12 Mk8 smoke discharger (dual pole) to minimise the logistic burden.

The system is supplied with the ISTEC Fire Control Unit which has 4 firing buttons, an arming safety cover and NVD compatible colour-coded LED indicators to show the status of each pod.

Adrian Webster, Operations Manager at ISTEC said, “We are extremely pleased to have won this important contract to help equip the UK’s new MLRS A2 platform with the best possible defensive suite of smoke dischargers. Our extensive experience in adapting solutions to meet vehicle geometry and architecture requirements, coupled with our long-standing history with both NSPA and the MLRS platform, makes this an exciting opportunity.” He added, “This project, combined with the weapons mount systems, further enhances the UK’s defence capabilities with cutting-edge technology, supporting national security and the operational effectiveness of the MLRS A2.”

Posted in Camo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on ISTEC Selected to Provide the Smoke Discharger System (SDS) for the British Army’s New MLRS A2

Schiebel Camcopter S-300 UAS Selected For Major European Defence Project

Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Vienna, 13 January 2025 – Schiebel, as part of the SEACURE consortium led by Thales, has been awarded a grant agreement under the European Defence Fund’s call for unmanned anti-submarine and seabed warfare solutions.

The SEACURE (Seabed and anti-submarine warfare capability through unmanned feature for Europe) consortium consists of 35 companies from 13 European countries and aims to progress joint Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Seabed Warfare (SBW) with unmanned air, surface and underwater systems protecting critical maritime infrastructure. The focus is on detection, classification, identification and tracking of underwater threats in demanding conditions.

Schiebel’s latest product, the CAMCOPTER® S-300, will serve as the dedicated Unmanned Air System (UAS) for this project. With a maximum take-off weight of 700kg, the S-300 offers an impressive endurance in excess of 24 hours with a camera and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) or typically 6 hours with a 250 kg payload. It is the first operational VTOL in its class to achieve these capabilities. The SEACURE project is scheduled to culminate in a large-scale sea trial by 2028.

“We have been working successfully with Thales on various ASW solutions for the S-100 since our first participation at the NATO exercise REPMUS in 2022. Due to its longer endurance and higher payload capacity, the S-300 opens up a multitude of new possibilities for ASW and SBW. The SEACURE project aligns perfectly with our S-300 development roadmap and we’re proud to be part of such a significant project,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

Posted in Contracts, International, Maritime, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Schiebel Camcopter S-300 UAS Selected For Major European Defence Project

Rheinmetall Supplies Artillery Ammunition Worth €21 Million to International Customer

Wednesday, January 15th, 2025

An international customer has contracted with Rheinmetall to supply five-digit quantities of 155mm M107 artillery ammunition. Worth €21 million, the order is to be delivered in the first half of 2025. The order was booked in December 2024.

The ammunition will be manufactured by Rheinmetall Expal Munitions in Spain. In service with several NATO nations for decades, the M107 is still among the world’s most widely used artillery projectiles. It can be fired from a large number of 155mm weapon systems.

Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of large calibre ammunition. The Group has been increasing its production capacities since 2022 and aims to be able to produce up to 1.1 million 155mm artillery shells annually by 2027.

Rheinmetall’s extensive product portfolio of weapons and ammunition systems ranges from medium-caliber ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft guns to tank and artillery ammunition, aircraft armament and high-energy laser applications.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Supplies Artillery Ammunition Worth €21 Million to International Customer

CANSOFCOM Awards Suppressor Contract To Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc.

Tuesday, January 14th, 2025

Ottawa, Canada, 15 January 2025 – Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc., an emerging leader in additive manufacturing of market-disruptive suppressor technology, is proud to announce the recent award of a contract with options to supply state of the art suppressors to the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). This key contract underscores the company’s innovative excellence and will deliver a groundbreaking flow-through suppressor technology, significantly enhancing operational readiness and the health and safety of end-users.

This competitively awarded contract marks a significant milestone for Millbrook, underscoring the exceptional operational performance of this scalable suppressor technology. It is the culmination of years in innovation cycles—from initial concept leading to this procurement award—emphasizing the value of supporting domestically manufactured solutions. This achievement not only reinforces Millbrook’s role as an innovator in advanced technology but also supports Canada’s commitment to “buying Canadian” and strengthening local industries.

Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc. is honored to support this important contract and remains committed to optimizing operational readiness for its valued customers. This award not only recognizes the dedication and hard work of our team but also serves as a catalyst for continued innovation and leadership in the field as we move forward.

Attention Military, Government and Law Enforcement Professionals:

We are proud to join forces with US-based Strategic Sciences LLC at SHOT SHOW 2025 and look forward to seeing you! This is an excellent opportunity to explore how this groundbreaking suppressor technology can support your mission.

Please contact Rolando Mata of Strategic Sciences LLC at rolando.mata@strategicsciences.us (US agencies) or Frank Paquette of Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc. at frank@millbrookcanada.ca (Canada & International agencies).

We look forward to connecting with you at the Strategic Sciences LLC Booth 32002, Venetian Expo Level II, Law Enforcement Section.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, SOF, Suppressors | 10 Comments »

Rheinmetall and Bohemia Interactive Simulations Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Defense Simulation Technologies

Friday, January 10th, 2025

Rheinmetall, a leader in defense and security technologies and Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, and renowned provider of advanced simulation and training software solutions, announce the start of a strategic collaboration. This cooperation aims to promote the development of innovative simulation solutions that are crucial for modern combat training. The collaboration will take effect for the first time in the “Heavy Weapons Carrier” project by developing state-of-the-art gunnery and combat simulators for the training of the German Army’s Medium Forces through the integration of BISim’s VBS4 and Blue IG products.

In a world where the demands on military training methods are becoming increasingly complex, realistic and flexible simulation technologies are essential. By combining BISim’s expertise in the development of simulation technologies with Rheinmetall’s extensive know-how in military systems, a new level of training and simulation capabilities is created.

“This collaboration is an important step for Rheinmetall in further expanding our portfolio of training and simulation solutions,” explained Bartek Panasewicz, Head of System Technology Training Systems at Rheinmetall. “With the state-of-the-art software from Bohemia Interactive Simulations, we are able to offer our customers even more realistic and effectively customized solutions.”

BISim’s advanced platforms and solutions empower system integrators to tackle complex challenges in simulation and mission planning. They provide cutting-edge simulations for NATO, US, the German Bundeswehr, and allied militaries. The flexibility of BISim’s products allows Rheinmetall to create sophisticated simulators for various military vehicles, ensuring realistic training for the warfighter.

“BISim’s technology empowers the warfighter to operate with machine-like speed and unmatched confidence to enable decision dominance on the battlefield,” said Rahul Thakkar, president of BISim. “This strategic partnership with Rheinmetall gives customers the overmatch they need every time. As a team, we are pushing the limits of synthetic training with simulators, raising the bar on the quality and scale of the experience delivered to our customers.”

This strategic collaboration emphasizes the commitment of both companies to enhance the performance and effectiveness of modern simulation technologies. Customers worldwide can anticipate innovative, practical solutions designed to tackle the complexities of current and future combat environments, equipping them with the tools needed to achieve operational readiness and decision advantage on the battlefield.

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Medical First-Aid Support: Rheinmetall to Deliver Up to 120 Rescue Stations to the Bundeswehr

Thursday, January 9th, 2025

The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Rheinmetall to deliver up to 120 rescue stations to the Bundeswehr. The order will be booked in January 2025 and values in a high double-digit million euro range. Delivery of the initial ten ballistic protected and six unprotected systems is scheduled between 2025 and 2027.

The contract also includes an option for a further 104 armoured and unarmoured systems, as well as corresponding training for the appropriate personnel. The highly mobile aid-stations are used by the Bundeswehr medical service to provide surgical and internal emergency care for the armed forces. If need be, the systems can be set up and dismantled within the shortest possible time.

Each system includes an air conditioning unit, a power generator and an emergency surgery container equipped with the latest medical instruments. The aid-stations are part of the Bundeswehr’s Modular Medical Facilities (MSE) system.

Posted in Contracts, International, Medical, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Eyeviation Unveils VCAT – Virtual Cognitive – Aware Trainer: The First AI Driven Firearms Instructor that Guarantees Significant Technique and Results Improvement in Less Than a 15-Minute Micro-Training Session

Thursday, January 9th, 2025

The system and technology are already deployed by the Israeli Air Force, Elite IDF special units, and security response teams

Shot Show, Jan 21-24, 2025, Las Vegas, Booth # 41754 (BALCO Defense)

January 08, 2025, Eyeviation, a pioneering startup specializing in Human-Aware Artificial Intelligence, proudly unveils VCAT (Virtual Cognitive-Aware Trainer), a transformative AI-powered virtual instructor redefining firearms training worldwide. With a bold promise to significantly improve trainees’ shooting capabilities in just 15 minutes, VCAT is already operational with selected Israeli Defence Forces units and security response teams.

Utilizing a proprietary cognitive analytics engine developed with algorithms originally designed for fighter jet pilot training and enriched by performance data from elite special forces operatives, VCAT processes eye-tracking and other sensory data from off-the-shelf VR/AR wearables to deliver personalized and adaptive training based on real-time motoric, visual, and cognitive insights. The platform leverages AI-driven insights to analyze movement patterns, providing immediate biofeedback and immersive 3D visualizations.

The system’s innovative design allows a single operator with basic shooting and operational knowledge to oversee up to five trainees simultaneously. This scalability transforms operators into effective shooting instructors, addressing key challenges in the industry, such as rising ammunition costs, a shortage of shooting lanes and professional instructors, and limited training hours.

VCAT offers unmatched cost-effectiveness with virtually no setup requirements, enabling efficient micro-training sessions that deliver measurable results anytime, anywhere. By significantly reducing costs associated with installation, logistics, and ammunition, VCAT redefines modern training efficiency.

In shooting ranges, VCAT provides ammunition-free warm-up and tactical preparation sessions, helping users effectively prepare for live-fire training. Next step is to feature personalized live-fire recommendations based on performance data to optimize skill development.

“VCAT represents a revolutionary approach to training technology and the human-machine relationship,” says Or Landwer, CEO of Eyeviation. “By decoding human cognitive behaviours and enabling the machine to understand the trainee, our system efficiently processes data to deliver ultra-personalized and adaptive training sessions in real-time.”

“Our vision is to create the world’s best autonomous firearms trainers—accessible to everyone and designed to adapt in real-time to each trainee’s needs—delivering unmatched results efficiently and helping individuals reach their full potential faster than ever,” Landwer adds.

Posted in Firearms, International, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on Eyeviation Unveils VCAT – Virtual Cognitive – Aware Trainer: The First AI Driven Firearms Instructor that Guarantees Significant Technique and Results Improvement in Less Than a 15-Minute Micro-Training Session