Rheinmetall develops retractable ATGM launcher for Australian Boxers

A Boxer Block II CRV participates in a static firing activity at Puckapunyal, Victoria. (Commonwealth of Australia)

German defence manufacturer Rheinmetall has developed a twin retractable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher for Australia's on-order Boxer Block II 8x8 combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV), an Australian Department of Defence (DoD) spokesperson told Janes on 9 April.

According to the DoD spokesperson, the launcher was developed in collaboration with Adelaide-based firm Supashock. “This launcher is designed to carry two Spike LR II missiles and can be mounted as required,” the spokesperson added.

The launcher was seen fitted to a Boxer Block II vehicle for the first time in footage published by the German embassy in Australia in late March. The footage showed Germany's Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius touring Rheinmetall's Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland, where the Boxer CRVs are being manufactured.

The development follows a two-year contract that Rheinmetall signed with Supashock in October 2022. Under the contract, Supashock agreed to deliver 84 retractable missile launch pods to the German company. At the time, Supashock said, “[The launch pods] have been designed to withstand vibration and shock during travel, or when performing manoeuvres in combat, but can be locked when firing, thereby increasing strike precision.”

However, Supashock said the 2022 contract was signed to deliver launcher pods to an “unnamed NATO country”. The integration with the Australian Boxer Block II CRV is possibly an extension of this 2022 contract.