The Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply the “Heavy Infantry Weapon Carrier” (sWaTrg Inf). The signing of the contract on 21 March 2024 was preceded by the approval of the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag the day before. The contract authorises the procurement of up to 123 vehicles. The contract value is around 2.7 billion euros. Services are included in this sum. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2025.
The heavy infantry weapon carrier serves as a replacement for the Wiesel tracked vehicle for direct tactical fire support of infantry units. The vehicle is based on the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV). The CRV is the wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle of the Australian armed forces. The 8×8 system uses the same main weapon as the Puma infantry fighting vehicle: the MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon. The multi-role light guided missile system (MELLS) is also fitted. Accordingly, the CRV is capable of anti-tank defence.
In keeping with the vehicle’s Australian roots, production takes place in Redbank in south-east Queensland. Rheinmetall is utilising the production facilities that also produce the CRV. In order to create the necessary production capacities, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed an agreement in principle in Berlin in July 2023 on the fringes of a visit to Germany.