The Netherlands is upgrading its Boxer armored vehicles with new anti-drone systems as part of a wider effort to modernize its military fleet after more than a decade in service.
The Netherlands is upgrading its Boxer armored vehicles with new anti-drone systems as part of a wider effort to modernize its military fleet after more than a decade in service.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced a midlife update program for the Boxer fleet, introducing counter-drone capabilities, upgraded digital systems, and replacement of aging components to keep the vehicles operational for years to come.
The Boxer has served as the Royal Netherlands Army’s primary wheeled armored vehicle since 2013 and has regularly deployed in missions including NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania.
A central part of the modernization is the addition of a new Remote Controlled Weapon Station equipped with counter-drone capability.
According to the ministry, crews will be able to independently detect and neutralize hostile drones, reflecting how small unmanned aircraft have become a major operational concern.
Alongside the counter-drone upgrade, the Netherlands is also replacing outdated systems to improve maintenance and spare parts availability in partnership with manufacturer Artec.
Netherlands Expands Counter-Drone Defenses
The Boxer upgrade is part of a broader Dutch effort to strengthen defenses against unmanned aircraft over the past year.
In December, the Dutch Ministry of Defence ordered 100 drone-detection radars from local company Robin Radar to improve the detection of aerial threats at airbases, critical infrastructure, and military sites. The systems are designed to distinguish drones from birds and other moving objects, giving forces more time to respond.
That same month, the Netherlands also selected Rheinmetall Air Defence to supply Skyranger air defense systems for the Dutch Armed Forces under a deal worth a high triple-digit million-euro amount, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2029.
