A small drone appears in the sight, the controls track its movement and the 30mm cannon goes into action. These images show the Boxer RCT30 in its counter-drone role. The technology matters to the Netherlands too: the army is getting this cannon-equipped Boxer.
The Netherlands ordered the variant together with Germany. The Dutch vehicles are intended for 13 Light Brigade and combine the Boxer with the turret from the tracked Puma. This gives the brigade more firepower against vehicles, infantry and threats from the air.
A projectile that opens in the air
Hitting a small drone directly is difficult. The cannon can therefore use programmable airburst ammunition. Such a projectile releases a bundle of small metal particles just before the target. This creates a larger area in which a hit is possible than with one solid projectile.
The timing is part of fire control: the system that translates observation of a target into aiming and firing the cannon. The projectile is given the moment at which to release its particles. Tracking, aiming and ammunition work together to make this form of counter-drone action possible.
The crew operates the cannon from inside
The KNDS RCT30 turret is remotely operated from inside the vehicle. The crew uses cameras and other optical sensors to view the surroundings and identify targets. A gunner does not have to expose themselves above the armour to operate the cannon.
The turret and cannon are stabilised. This helps keep the barrel aimed while the vehicle moves. According to KNDS, the Boxer can therefore engage moving targets while on the move itself.
The Schakal for the Netherlands
The cannon variant is called Schakal, German for jackal. The joint order placed in 2025 covered 72 vehicles for the Netherlands and 150 for Germany. It expands the Boxer family already used by the Dutch army.
For infantry, that means a vehicle that carries people, provides cannon support and can also tackle small aerial threats. The demonstration makes that last task tangible: counter-drone capability becomes part of the firepower moving with the unit.
