The state has chosen the Lynx as the basic infantry fighting vehicle and is preparing joint production with the German concern. Rheinmetall plans to launch the first Ukrainian plant by the end of 2025.
The state has chosen the Lynx as the basic infantry fighting vehicle and is preparing joint production with the German concern. Rheinmetall plans to launch the first Ukrainian plant by the end of 2025.
According to Militarny, last week, during a meeting in the Ramstein format, the defense ministers of Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement on the localization of KF41 production in Ukraine. The first Lynx, assembled in Hungary, arrived in Ukraine at the end of 2024 for testing. The exact volumes of future deliveries are not disclosed, but Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger previously mentioned a possible contract for «several hundred» vehicles. The company states its intention to open the plant by the end of 2025.
The KF41 Lynx is designed as a modular platform, taking into account the experience of the Puma and Boxer programs. The key idea is the rapid replacement of large blocks: the hull and combat module can be re-equipped with a crane, adapting the vehicle to a specific mission. On one base, versions for classic assault and infantry transport, reconnaissance, close air defense, electronic warfare or mortar support can be built — without deep modification of the entire vehicle.
Lynx was first shown at Eurosatory 2018. In the KF41 version, the vehicle has a crew of three soldiers and carries nine paratroopers, a gross weight of up to 50 tons, a diesel engine with a capacity of 1,140 hp and a maximum speed of up to 70 km/h. The platform is designed with a «stock» in terms of mass and energy to withstand further protection packages, sensors and new means of communication, without losing its driving qualities.
For Ukraine, choosing a modular infantry fighting vehicle means unified maintenance and repair: one base — many roles, common components, less «exotic» in warehouses. Local production simplifies the adaptation of vehicles to our conditions, as well as the gradual increase in the share of Ukrainian components — from assembly and painting to the manufacture of hulls and service of combat modules.
The next steps will be to complete testing and launch the production line together with Rheinmetall. Formal details regarding the composition of the first batch, configurations and delivery schedule have not yet been announced; the parties are focusing on site preparation and technology transfer to accelerate the transition of the units to a single modern platform.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how global defense giant Rheinmetall and JSC «Ukrainian Defense Industry» agreed to build Lynx battle tanks. The partners will build the first infantry fighting vehicles this year.
