Mechanised Infantry Programme

Military Capability

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £5.0bn
Published schedule: 27/10/2017 – 09/09/2033
NISTA delivery confidence: AMBER
Senior responsible owner: Martyn Williams

What the project is for

The Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme will deliver modern wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers and an Armoured Fighting Vehicle modular, common base platform that can perform a range of roles across a modernised Army. The vehicles will be a significant contribution to enabling a highly deployable, networked force to operate differently from conventional industrial age combat forces, offering unique competitive advantage whether fighting, peacekeeping or delivering humanitarian aid.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Amber. This is due to the following factors. 1. This is predominantly driven by global supply chain issues following the war in Ukraine, and Covid, which are not unique to Defence or Boxer but impacts at a key point of vehicle manufacture. 2. The programme’s Initial Operating Capability is delayed with increased risks requiring strong management action, and has been reapproved but not yet published, pending the Defence Investment Plan. 3. The lead contractors of ARTEC, Rheinmetall, and Krauss Maffei Wegmann Nexter Defence Systems (KNDS) have not yet stabilised or fully resolved their ongoing supply chain delays to vehicle production, which is also impacting other areas including support and training.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the programme's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same at 31/3/2033. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. This year the Initial Operating Capability schedule forecast was delayed as no longer achievable due to supply chain delays impacting delivery and formally reapproved through Review Note 5. 2. This has been further reviewed as the required Collective Training alongside Ajax in Armoured Infantry Brigades is currently impacted by the Ajax pause and alternate training options in the same timeframe were not viable or meaningful. Boxer Collective Training to achieve Initial Operating Capability is being reset and decoupled from Ajax to de-risk this whilst Wavell Structures are matured and joint training will follow; subject to Ajax outcomes.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Whole Life Cost at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) decreased from £7009.30M to £5150.92M. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. The Programme Whole Life Cost Budget (not cost) to Full Operating Capability has decreased since Q4 24/25 as a consequence of funding removal following Army re-prioritisation of further procurements and Defence Investment Plan Outcomes. 2. There is an ongoing conversation with industry on treatment of contractual VoP (Variation of Price), caused by inflationary supply chain pressures which are also awaiting the Defence Investmetn Plan.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Benefits at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at 0. This is primarily due to the following factors. No monetised benefits.