On August 25, 2021, German company Rheinmetall and CSM Industry from Slovakia signed a Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation in the field of military vehicle production at the IDEB exhibition in Bratislava. Due to the planned purchase of new tracked vehicles for the Slovak army, it is primarily the production of the main components and parts of the Lynx KF41 combat vehicle.
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The Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 was displayed during IDEB, defense exhibition in Slovakia. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)
"Rheinmetall is very interested in partnering with the Slovak defense industry and we have extensive experience in integrating local companies into the global supply chain, " said Oliver Mittelsdorf, Rheinmetall's vice president of sales. "The recently concluded contracts for the supply of Boxer CRV combat reconnaissance vehicles to Australia and Lynx armored vehicles to Hungary clearly show the benefits that the partnership with Rheinmetall brings to local businesses. By integrating into the global supply chain Rheinmetall, our Slovak industrial partners can use a wide range of export opportunities arising from mutual cooperation,” adds Oliver Mittelsdorf.
"I am very pleased that we have the opportunity to participate in the significant modernization program such as the supply of fighting vehicles for infantry in Slovakia, " said Tomas Maros, CEO of CSM Industry. " Rheinmetall is a key player in the defense industry. Mutual cooperation will enable us to transfer know-how and will become a great opportunity for future economic development. It will support and strengthen the Slovak economy, the domestic defense industry, and national sovereignty and will also lead to the localization of production. At the same time, thanks to this cooperation, we will be able to use all our production capacities efficiently and in the long term. "
Through a partnership between the two companies, Rheinmetall clearly demonstrates its commitment to including local businesses in its programs. CSM Industry will contribute to project combat vehicles Lynx its technological background and extensive experience with cooperative production of welded parts, steel structures, and components. The cooperation opens up more possibilities for a possible integration of products and services of CSM Industry in the global supply chain management company Rheinmetall for combat and support vehicles such as Lynx, Boxer, Kodiak, and other models.
Lynx KF41 from Rheinmetall is a major bidder in the tender of the Slovak Armed Forces for new infantry fighting vehicles. Last year, Hungary became the first country to order a new generation of armor. Lynx is also one of the two selected combat vehicles that forward and do the final testing phase in the third stage of the modernization program of the Australian Land 400. This includes extensive testing in the field or testing ability survival and mobility.
The KF41 Lynx is one of the latest generations of tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle available in the current military market. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The KF41 Lynx is an IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) in the Lynx family of a tracked armored vehicle designed, developed and manufactured by the German Company Rheinmetall Defence. This vehicle is a longer version than the KF31 IFV unveiled in September 2016, 7.22 m for the KF31 and 7.7m for the KF41.
The KF41 Lynx can be fitted with the LANCE turret also available as a remotely operated weapon station under the name of LANCE RC also designed and developed by Rheinmetall. The main weapon of the LANCE turret is the MK30-2 / ABM automatic cannon, developed and built by Rheinmetall. The use of this cannon brings a host of advantages for the vehicle crew. The turret has a reserve of 200 rounds of two different ammunition types for the main weapon.
The LANCE is equipped with a state-of-the-art, fully digital fire control system. Two electro-optical sights – each equipped with a high-resolution camera, a thermal imaging camera and a laser rangefinder – are also provided. One of the sights enables 360-degree visibility, irrespective of the movement of the turret. Of particular benefit is the fact that each system can be operated both by the commanding officer and by the gunner. With LANCE RC, the modular design also allows the turret system to be remotely controlled.
The Lynx KF41 combat vehicle is based on modular open systems architecture, which allows for configuration into various roles through the integration of new mission systems. It can be configured as IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), Command Post, APC (Armored Personnel Carrier), and more in less than eight hours.
The Lynx KF41 with Lance 2.0 has been designed not only for passive and reactive systems but also for an active protection system to defeat rocket-propelled grenades and antitank guided missiles. The Lance turret of the KF 41 Lynx is designed with an internal ballistic protection cell for the crew.
From left to right: Alexander Horvath, VP Defense CSM Industry, Tomas Maros, CEO CSM Industry, John Abunassar, CEO Rheinmetall Land Systems, Oliver Mittelsdorf, Executive Vice President Rheinmetall Land Systems (Picture source Rheinmetall)
