Rolls-Royce has been selected to supply 350 mtu Series 199 engines to power new Boxer armored vehicles for Germany and international operators, further cementing the engine’s role as the backbone of the Boxer fleet. The contracts were awarded by Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland, both key industrial partners in Boxer vehicle production.
The order covers mtu 8V199 diesel engines, each featuring eight cylinders and producing either 530 kW or 600 kW of power, depending on operational requirements. These engines will support upcoming Boxer deliveries, with initial vehicle handovers planned for early 2026.
The Boxer platform is recognized for its modular eight-wheeled design, which allows mission modules to be mounted on a standardized drive unit. This concept has enabled rapid adaptation of the vehicle for roles ranging from infantry transport to command-and-control and reconnaissance. As a result, the Boxer has achieved strong export success, with over 2,000 vehicles ordered or fielded worldwide, all equipped with mtu Series 199 engines.
Rolls-Royce notes that more than 4,500 mtu 199 engines are currently in service with NATO and allied militaries, making it one of the most prevalent engine families in modern armored vehicle fleets. To meet growing performance demands while addressing budget pressures, the company is evolving the Series 199 into a scalable engine family with shared components. Planned developments include 10- and 12-cylinder variants delivering up to 1,745 horsepower, improving maintainability, reducing spare parts inventories, and enhancing operational availability across diverse vehicle fleets.
