Germany's KF41 Lynx bolsters Ukraine's military capabilities
Rheinmetall has delivered the first KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to Ukraine, as confirmed by the company's CEO, Armin Papperger, in a conversation with "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." The German machine will be the Ukrainian army's most advanced infantry fighting vehicle. The first batch of vehicles is expected to include 10 units, but Ukraine's demand for such machinery is estimated at about 3,000 units.
The Ukrainian service Militarny reports that the German company's plant in Unterlüß produced the first KF41 Lynx combat vehicle and delivered it to the Ukrainian client at the end of 2024. Papperger explained that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently testing it to enable a serial order to be placed as soon as possible.
KF41 Lynx for Ukraine
It is worth recalling that in June 2024, Rheinmetall announced signing an agreement to supply several hundred Lynx infantry fighting vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was also announced that it is possible to produce these vehicles in Ukraine in the future.
As Łukasz Michalik, a WP Tech journalist, has already noted, German plans envision that along with the KF41, production of another armoured vehicle – the wheeled armoured personnel carrier TPz 1 Fuchs – will also start in Ukraine.
KF41 Lynx - modern infantry fighting vehicle
The KF41 Lynx is a modern infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) developed by the German company Rheinmetall. The vehicle features a modular design, allowing adaptation to various battlefield tasks. The Lynx KF41 is about 8 metres long, 4 metres wide, and 3 metres high. Its combat weight varies from 30 to 45 tonnes, depending on the configuration. The crew consists of three people: a commander, a driver, and a gunner, and the vehicle can additionally carry up to eight infantry soldiers.
The KF41 is powered by a diesel engine with an output of 1,140 horsepower, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of about 70 km/h. The vehicle's operational range is around 500 kilometres. The standard armament of the Lynx includes a manned Lance 2.0 turret equipped with a 30 or 35-millimetre Wotan automatic cannon, capable of firing 200 rounds per minute. Additionally, the Lynx can be equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun and optionally a remotely controlled weapon module with a 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun and a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The option is also to mount anti-tank guided missile launchers, such as the Spike LR2.
The vehicle offers a high level of ballistic and mine protection, with the ability to customise armour for specific mission requirements. The modular design allows for rapidly replacing damaged components and adaptation to different roles, such as armoured personnel transport, command vehicle, or ambulance. The KF41 Lynx has already been ordered by Hungary, which plans to produce 218 units of this vehicle, with 172 to be manufactured domestically. Italy also plans to order the Lynx and the KF51 Panther tank.
