Rolls-Royce Expands mtu 199 Engine Programme With New Boxer Vehicle Orders

Rolls-Royce Expands mtu 199 Engine Programme With New Boxer Vehicle Orders

(IN BRIEF) Rolls-Royce has secured orders from Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland to supply 350 eight-cylinder mtu Series 199 engines for Boxer wheeled armoured vehicles, with deliveries beginning in the first half of 2026. The orders reinforce the long-standing success of the Boxer platform, which exclusively uses mtu 8V199 engines across more than 2,000 vehicles worldwide. As operational demands increase, Rolls-Royce is expanding the Series 199 into a scalable engine family delivering up to more than 1,300 kilowatts, offering armed forces a flexible, high-performance, and logistically efficient drive solution.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 21-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Rolls-Royce has received new orders from Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland for the supply of eight-cylinder mtu Series 199 engines to power Boxer wheeled armoured vehicles for the German Armed Forces and international customers. In total, 350 engines with output ratings of either 530 or 600 kilowatts will be delivered to the Boxer manufacturing consortium, with the first vehicles scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2026.

The latest orders further strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Boxer platform and the mtu Series 199 powertrain. During 2025 alone, approximately 400 8V199 engines were ordered, reflecting sustained demand for the platform across multiple NATO and allied armed forces. To date, all Boxer vehicles delivered or on order—more than 2,000 units worldwide—are powered by eight-cylinder engines from the mtu 199 family.

System integrators Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS) have ordered 350 mtu engines from Rolls-Royce to power new Boxer wheeled armoured vehicles.

The Boxer vehicle is built around a modular design concept, combining an eight-wheel drive module with interchangeable mission modules tailored to specific operational requirements. This flexibility has enabled rapid deployment across a wide range of military roles while maintaining a common drivetrain architecture that supports efficiency in logistics, maintenance, and fleet management.

With more than 4,500 engines delivered globally, the mtu Series 199 has become the most widely used engine programme in its power class for military land vehicles operated by NATO members and partner nations. The series is recognised for its high power density, compact footprint, and suitability for both new vehicle platforms and the re-engining of existing fleets.

It is part of the successful mtu 199 series: the 8V199TE21 powers all Boxer variants – efficient, powerful and tried and tested by armies worldwide

In response to evolving operational requirements and increasing demand for higher vehicle performance, Rolls-Royce is expanding the mtu 199 series into a comprehensive engine family. In addition to performance upgrades for existing variants, development is underway for a 10-cylinder version delivering up to 1,100 kilowatts and a 12-cylinder variant exceeding 1,300 kilowatts, creating a scalable portfolio that spans outputs from 260 kilowatts to well over 1,300 kilowatts.

A core element of the expanded 199 family is maximum parts commonality across variants. This approach simplifies maintenance, reduces spare-parts inventories, and enables faster engine replacement within vehicle fleets—delivering both cost efficiencies and tactical advantages for armed forces operating under constrained budgets and demanding conditions.

The continued selection of the mtu Series 199 underscores its role as a future-ready propulsion solution, designed to meet the mobility, flexibility, and performance expectations of modern military vehicle programmes.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

1. Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
2. Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 48 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
3. Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
4. Annual underlying revenue was £17.8 billion in 2024, and underlying operating profit was £2.46 billion.
5. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)5.
6. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 10,350 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The portfolio also includes diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. With its climate friendly technologies, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is helping to drive the energy transition. www.rolls-royce.com

Media contact:

Don Campbell
Director of Coummunications
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldgcampbell
Donald.Campbell@Rolls-Royce.com

SOURCE: Rolls-Royce plc