Hungary Receives Its Inaugural Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle from Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall has delivered the inaugural Lynx infantry fighting vehicles to the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) as part of a total order of 209 units. Merely two years post-order placement, Rheinmetall AG’s CEO Armin Papperger ceremoniously handed the key to Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. This significant transfer occurred during an oath-taking ceremony for new military recruits of the Hungarian Defence Forces at the Petöfi Sándor Barracks situated in Budapest. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was also present at this notable event. The Lynx will serve as the cornerstone of Hungary’s mechanized infantry capabilities.

“We are extremely proud to present the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to our esteemed partner Hungary today,” stated Armin Papperger. “This constitutes a pivotal achievement. The Lynx is the most adaptable fighting vehicle within its category. By making this visionary procurement choice, Hungary’s senior political and military figures have shown leadership aimed at placing Hungary at the leading edge of European military technology, thereby affirming the Hungarian government’s dedication as a trustworthy ally to its NATO partners—a strategy that is being diligently pursued.”

In September 2020, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence commissioned Rheinmetall for a significant order to provide infantry fighting vehicles and associated products and services exceeding €2 billion in total value. The comprehensive delivery package encompasses ammunition and logistics support, along with nine state-of-the-art Buffalo armored recovery vehicles, nine armored vehicle-launched bridges (AVLB), and 16 trucks. Hungary stands as the inaugural NATO and EU member country to receive Rheinmetall’s innovative Lynx modular medium-weight combat system. This crucial agreement signifies a substantial breakthrough in the global defense sector for the Düsseldorf-based technology group’s advanced combat vehicle.

The Lynx KF41 provided to the HDF comes in seven configurations, which include standard infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), command posts, reconnaissance units, joint fire observers, mortar carriers, field ambulances, and driver training vehicles. Additionally, the contract encompasses extra Rheinmetall products and services such as simulators, training and education, an initial supply of spare components, and maintenance assistance.

The Lynx IFV is fitted with a manned 30mm Lance turret and an integrated active protection system named StrikeShield, both of which have been developed by Rheinmetall.

The first group of 46 Lynx vehicles will be dispatched from Rheinmetall’s facilities in Germany. By the end of the following year, Rheinmetall is set to commence deliveries of the remaining units from their manufacturing site in Hungary. For this purpose, the Hungarian government and Rheinmetall agreed in August 2020 to establish a joint venture aimed at creating a Lynx production hub in Hungary. This advanced production facility for the innovative combat vehicle is currently under construction in Zalaegerszeg as part of the ZALAZone industrial complex.

This cutting-edge facility not only plays a vital role in preserving and expanding Hungary’s capabilities in contemporary combat vehicle development and production but also bolsters the local economy. The new Hungarian team at Rheinmetall is already collaborating on the Lynx vehicles in Germany, acquiring invaluable expertise and skills that will facilitate the transfer of know-how and technological advancements.

Lynx – versatile, adaptable, future-ready

The Lynx concept encapsulates a comprehensive family of vehicles, featuring a chassis module complemented by flexible mission kits available in a variety of configurations. This versatility means that the fundamental vehicle can be tailored as an infantry fighting unit, an air defense system, a command platform, or a field ambulance. Moreover, transitioning between different configurations can be realized within hours. The uniform basis of the vehicle promises significantly reduced lifecycle costs while enabling military users to adapt to evolving tactical demands and integrate new functionalities. The Lynx is characterized by outstanding survivability, mobility, and lethality, alongside remarkable growth potential, particularly regarding its overall weight.

The Lance turret employs advanced sensor systems to maximize the effectiveness of the integrated 30mm firing next-generation programmable kinetic energy time-fused (KETF) munitions and the cutting-edge Spike 2 LR anti-tank missile system. This ensures a comprehensive engagement capability against both symmetric and asymmetric threats.

Both the Lynx and Lance systems are fully digitized and built on the NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA), allowing for the integration of crew members, dismounts, and the vehicle into an extensive battlefield network. Enhanced situational awareness facilitates rapid target identification and handoff. Additionally, it supports the incorporation of multi-spectral sensing capabilities, including UAVs and loitering munitions for beyond-line-of-sight target detection and engagement.

The Lynx combines the modularity of active and passive defense systems, providing layered protection against prevalent battlefield dangers. The Lynx offers robust shielding for its occupants against a wide range of battlefield threats, including explosive hazards, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), direct and indirect gunfire, cluster munitions, and anti-tank guided missiles, as well as CBRN threats. With its formidable combat effectiveness and exceptional off-road capabilities, the Lynx is poised to provide contemporary armed forces with a decisive advantage in multifaceted military operations across varying levels of intensity and diverse environments, overcoming numerous threats and securing favorable outcomes.

The spacious interior of the Lynx surpasses all vehicles in its category, ensuring the operational efficacy of its three crew members and accommodating up to eight infantry dismounts.

The digitization and modern physical layout of the Lynx guarantee top performance against current threats, while offering growth potentials against future challenges. The modular architecture allows for increased capacities for payload, electrical power, and processing capabilities of the vehicle, enabling seamless integration of advanced mission equipment or the realization of specialized role variants within a singular vehicle family.