Slovenian parliament rejects referendum on purchase of Boxer fighting vehicles

The proposal by the left-wing Levica party to postpone the ratification of the preliminary agreement on the purchase of German-made 8x8 modular fighting vehicles and tie it to the outcome of the referendum failed in a vote late on Wednesday. It received the backing of only eight Levica MPs, while 42 MPs voted against and 27 abstained.

The preliminary agreement with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) was signed last year. Italy, France, Germany, Lithuania and some other EU members already participate in the joint armament program. The United Kingdom has also ordered Boxer vehicles in a £2.8 billion deal and the delivery is expected to begin next year.

The cost of the 45 vehicles for the Slovenian army is estimated at €400 million, depending on additional equipment, and the price will be fixed on signing the agreement, according to local media.

Boxer armoured fighting vehicles are manufactured in Germany, and the largest shareholder in the joint armament program is the Rheinmetal Mann company.