This edition of IDET will be of great importance for the Czech Armey because of the featuring of the four key candidates for the contract of the Czech Armed Forces going on the acquisition of 210 infantry tracked combat vehicle (to replace the BMP-2 currently in service in their Army). Among those candidates, Rheinmetall is proposing its LYNX vehicle to the Czech Armed Forces.

The LYNX KF41 IFV at the booth of Rheinmetall during IDET 2019, Czech Republic (Picture Source: Army Recognition)

The Czech Army currently operates 185 soviet era BMP-2 (marked as BVP-2 in Czech for bojové vozidlo pěchoty) tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV). Those were produced during the 1980s in Czechoslovakia under a licence, and they were the second generation of the BMP-1 originating in the 1960s (the Czech Army has still nearly 170 of those in reserve). Since 2013 options concerning either a modernization of the BMP-2 or its replacement were considered. The vehicles serve with two mechanized battalions of the 7th mechanized brigade, and with several other units.

This edition of IDET will indeed be of great importance for the Czech Armed Forces because it will feature the key candidates for the largest contract in the history of the Czech Republic's Armed Forces worth 53 billion Czech crowns (2,3 billion $US). The 210 infantry tracked combat vehicle contractor (aiming to replace the BMP-2 currently in service in the Czech Armed Forces) is likely to be selected among four companies, including British BAE Systems (CV-90), Spanish General Dynamics European Land Systems (Ascod), and two German companies PSM (PUMA) and Rheinmetall Landsysteme (LYNX).

Rheinmetall Landsysteme (a division of Rheinmetall) is showcasing its LYNX KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), as a candidate to replacement of the BMP-2 currently in service in the Czech Armed Forces. This vehicle features the latest core innovations and technologies of Rheinmetall and is considered as a next-generation combat vehicle designed to confront the challenges of the future battlefield like no other vehicle of its class. Four core capabilities characterize the LYNX IFV: firepower, force protection, situational awareness and mobility.

Regarding the firepower, the LYNX features a Rheinmetall LANCE turret armed with a stabilized, externally powered, airburst-capable automatic cannon (either 30mm or 35mm). This enables the IFV to effectively engage targets with high precision at ranges of up to 3,000 metres – even on the move. The vehicle can also be equipped with an anti-tank guided missile launcher and a secondary weapon station linked to the main optics (main sensor slaved armament).

Regarding the force protection of the vehicle, thanks to its diesel engine mounted in the forward section and a modular armour concept, the vehicle architecture offers a high degree of protection. The vehicle’s ballistic armour shields LYNX from antitank weapons, medium-calibre ammunition, artillery shrapnel, IEDs and bomblets. In addition, a spall liner in the vehicle interior protects the entire crew. Mine and IED protection packages, decoupled seats and the optional hard kill Active Defence System (ADS) significantly boost the vehicle’s survivability.

As for the situational awareness, the commander and gunner of the LYNX both have access to the sensors suite, while the fighting compartment provides the crew with a 360° panoramic view.

And finally, regarding the mobility, this IFV features an excellent power-to-weight ratio and can handle gradients of up to 60 degrees and lateral inclines of more than 30 degrees. It can cross ditches up to 2.5 metres wide and ford bodies of water up to 1.50 metres deep.