The Netherlands is modernizing its Boxer armored vehicle fleet with advanced counter-drone systems and upgraded digital technologies as part of a midlife enhancement program. The Royal Netherlands Army has operated the Boxer since 2013, including deployments in NATO missions in Lithuania. A key feature of the upgrade is a new Remote Controlled Weapon Station capable of independently detecting and neutralizing hostile drones, reflecting the growing battlefield threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems. Additional improvements include replacement of aging subsystems and expanded cooperation with manufacturer Artec to improve maintenance efficiency and spare parts availability. The modernization aligns with broader Dutch investments in layered counter-drone defense capabilities, including drone-detection radars and Rheinmetall Skyranger air defense systems.
