Dräger launches Breathguard 2500 – gas detection for Boxer

Dräger has launched Breathguard 2500, which is a carbon dioxide and monoxide monitor for armoured vehicles and other platforms. The build up of gases inside a vehicle can severely impact crew performance and health.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on February 11, 2026. 

The engineered solutions division of Dräger has announced a new solution, the Breathguard 2500. It has been developed in response to a requirement from Rheinmetall. The system is designed to be rugged and provide “durable continuous atmospheric monitoring” in armoured vehicles like Boxer. The February 9 press release states this. 

“The device contributes to the safety of personnel by measuring the gas concentration in the ambient air and when levels of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide gas become too high , all personnel within the confined space or vehicle will receive audible and visual alarms,” the press release explains. 

Breathguard uses electrochemistry to monitor changes in the levels of these gases and provide alarm signals to the crew if dangerous concentrations are detected. It has an internal pressure compensation system. This system is designed for environmental pressures between 700 and 1,300 mbar, according to the press release.

This refers to the equipment’s ability to equalize its internal air pressure with the surrounding atmospheric pressure without compromising its seal or internal components. 700 mbar is very low pressure, similar to what might be found up a mountain.

Calibre comment: Gases in armoured vehicles

The build up of gases inside armoured vehicles has been a known problem for some time. They can come from several sources like engine fumes or the gases produced by firing the main armament. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of carbon dioxide or monoxide can lead to shortness of breath. It can also cause sickness respectively. 

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, restricting the blood’s ability to transport oxygen around the body. Carbon dioxide can cause hypercapnia, which ultimately alters the blood’s pH balance and leads to difficulties breathing. For example, it has been known that the British Scorpion vehicles have suffered with excess gas build up in the past. Additionally, US M109 howitzers have experienced this. When identified it can lead to the vehicles being removed from service. 

These aren’t the only gases that personnel are protected from. You can also read about some recent developments in CBRN protection, which is focusing on lighter elements normally used for crowd control, here: DSEI 2025: Avon Protection unveils MITR-PG1 CBRN goggles – Calibre Defence

The lead image shows the Breathguard 2500. Credit: Dräger.