Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Paragraph: 60
We welcome the decision to procure the Boxer armoured vehicle for the British Army, albeit...
Conclusion
We welcome the decision to procure the Boxer armoured vehicle for the British Army, albeit more than ten years later than would have been the case had the UK stayed in the original multi-national consortium. As part of the Integrated Review and associated funding decisions, the Department should seek to accelerate the procurement of Boxer to ensure the Army receives this new capability as soon as possible. In particular we are astonished that the current contract only provides for production of one vehicle a week. In parallel, the British Army, while exploring the range of options Boxer may offer, should learn the lessons of previous failures and avoid adding additional requirements while it is being delivered. Once the vehicle is in-service options to incrementally add upgrades or extra capability may be pursued.
Paragraph Reference:
60
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Department agrees with the Committee on the desirability of acceleration of Boxer and whilst there have been financial constraints the MOD is intending to accelerate and enhance the programme, intending to deliver full operational capability by 2030. The Boxer programme will continue to learn to lessons from AJAX and previous procurement programmes. The plan is to iteratively upgrade Boxer throughout its life. By shifting to a longer-term approach to investment planning, the Army intends to create a more virtuous relationship between Defence and its suppliers, a theme which will be picked up in the Land Industrial Strategy. Open electronic architectures (a key feature of new and upgraded armoured vehicles) enables the use and upgrading of novel sensors and effectors as well as enhancing command and control. This could also foster: increased investment in UK intellectual property (especially in areas of national technological advantage); growth of the UK’s high-tech Defence industrial capability (including the generation of jobs and skills); closer collaboration with our unique network of international allies and partners (building on the lessons from programmes like F-35); and greater support to UK land system exports (tapping into the clear opportunity to achieve a greater share of the global land systems export market).