DEFEA 2025: Rheinmetall offers its most modern solutions to support Greece's armed forces modernization.

At the DEFEA 2025 defence exhibition held in Athens from May 6 to May 8, Rheinmetall presented three systems: the Lynx KF41 tracked infantry fighting vehicle, the HX 6x6 tactical truck, and the Skyranger 35 short-range air defence system. These systems were displayed at stand E2 in Hall 3. Rheinmetall’s participation aimed at introducing these systems to the Greek defence community as possible options for future procurement, with particular attention to their technical configurations, deployment versatility, and suitability for integration into the Hellenic Armed Forces’ existing and planned force structure.
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The KF41 Lynx could serve as a candidate to replace aging armoured vehicles in service with the Greek Army, such as the M113 and BMP-1. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Lynx KF41 was introduced by Rheinmetall in 2018 and represents an evolution of the earlier KF31 concept, originally launched in the mid-2010s. It was designed to address identified capability gaps in infantry fighting vehicles, particularly in terms of modularity and mission flexibility. The KF41 presented at DEFEA 2025 was a unit built as part of the Hungarian series production line, reflecting Rheinmetall's implementation of international manufacturing partnerships. Hungary is currently the only NATO country to have ordered and locally produced the KF41, under a government-to-government arrangement involving industrial offsets, local employment, and domestic training. The platform’s presentation in Athens aligned with Rheinmetall’s broader strategy to highlight its export offerings and examples of localized production.

The KF41 uses a Liebherr D9612 diesel engine generating 1,140 horsepower, enabling a maximum road speed of approximately 70 km/h. The vehicle accommodates a three-person crew and provides seating for eight infantry personnel in the rear compartment. Its main weapon is the 35mm MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon, which is mounted on Rheinmetall’s Lance 2.0 turret. This turret includes the Main Sensor Slaved Armament (MSSA) capability, allowing simultaneous target detection and engagement via hunter-killer and killer-killer functionalities. A coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and provisions for anti-tank guided missile launchers are included. The KF41 can be adapted for different roles, such as command, reconnaissance, or casualty evacuation, due to its modular internal design. Protection options include passive armour kits and Rheinmetall’s Active Defence System (ADS), offering additional protection against various types of incoming threats.

For Greece, the KF41 could serve as a candidate to replace legacy armoured vehicles such as the M113 and BMP-1 series. The Hellenic Army has identified armoured fleet renewal as a medium-term objective, and the modular nature of the KF41, combined with Rheinmetall’s readiness to discuss local production or final assembly, may correspond to Greece’s defence-industrial policies. The system’s ability to adapt to multiple missions and accommodate add-on capabilities could be assessed by Greek defence authorities in light of operational requirements across mainland and island theatres. If a formal procurement program for tracked infantry fighting vehicles is launched, the KF41 may be considered alongside other contenders, subject to a full evaluation of cost, interoperability, logistics, and domestic economic impact.

The HX 6x6’s ability to adapt to multiple missions and accommodate add-on capabilities could be assessed by Greek defence authorities in light of operational requirements across mainland and island theatres. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The HX 6x6 tactical truck belongs to the HX family of military logistic vehicles developed by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV). The HX range was launched in the early 2000s to replace earlier models such as the FX and LX series and was developed specifically for military use, as opposed to commercial vehicle adaptation. HX trucks are currently used by multiple armed forces, including Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and have been deployed in both operational and peacetime logistic roles. The HX 6x6 variant is one of several configurations available and is often used for medium transport and general cargo roles.

The HX 6x6 truck presented at DEFEA 2025 featured a protected cab that provides ballistic and mine protection in accordance with STANAG 4569 standards. The vehicle uses a ladder-type steel frame designed for heavy-duty use across varied terrain. It is capable of transporting up to approximately 6 tonnes of cargo, depending on configuration, and can be fitted with flatbeds, cranes, shelters, or tank modules. The drivetrain supports all-wheel drive and is compatible with various terrain types, including unpaved roads and off-road environments. The vehicle’s design supports a range of operational needs, including logistics support, field recovery, and platform carriage for modular mission systems.

Greece’s logistical challenges are linked to its geography, including mountainous terrain and dispersed islands, which require adaptable, durable, and reliable transport vehicles. The HX 6x6 could potentially meet these conditions. Its protected cab version may also be suitable for dual-use in military and civil protection roles, including humanitarian assistance or disaster relief missions. A potential procurement could be aligned with plans to improve Greece’s military transport fleet. If Rheinmetall is open to proposals for domestic maintenance, spare parts production, or even localized assembly, this may also align with Greece’s wider efforts to involve its defence industry in national acquisition programs.

The growing use of drones and loitering munitions across conflict zones has raised interest in mobile short-range air defense systems, such as the Skyranger 35, to protect ground forces and critical infrastructure. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Skyranger 35 air defence system presented by Rheinmetall at DEFEA 2025 is based on the Oerlikon Skyshield family and features a turret-integrated 35mm revolver cannon. It is intended to deliver mobile short-range air defence (SHORAD) capability against a range of airborne threats, including rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and precision-guided munitions. The turret can be mounted on several platforms, such as the Boxer 8x8 and Leopard 2 chassis, providing options for deployment with armoured units or in fixed site protection roles. The Skyranger 35 was developed to address air defence gaps in mobile force protection, particularly as UAV use has increased in frequency and complexity.

The main weapon of the system is the 35mm Oerlikon KDG revolver cannon, with a cyclic rate of up to 1,000 rounds per minute. It employs AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) programmable ammunition, which releases sub-projectiles designed to form a lethal cloud against incoming aerial threats. The turret integrates a multi-sensor suite, including an AESA radar for 360-degree target acquisition, a Ku-band tracking radar, and electro-optical/infrared sensors for target identification and tracking. The system supports automated fire control and can operate either independently or as part of a wider integrated air defence network. It is designed for mobility and rapid deployment, including the ability to respond to multiple threats simultaneously.

The Hellenic Armed Forces are currently assessing options for strengthening national air defence capabilities, particularly in relation to emerging drone and loitering munition threats in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Skyranger 35 may be considered relevant in this context due to its short reaction time, autonomous engagement features, and suitability for mobile deployments. Its turreted configuration offers flexibility for integration into different vehicle fleets, depending on operational priorities. Should Greece pursue acquisition of SHORAD systems, Rheinmetall’s willingness to discuss adaptation, training, and possible local support arrangements may be factors in procurement planning. The Skyranger 35’s relevance would be determined by compatibility with Greece’s existing air surveillance and C2 infrastructure, as well as logistical support capacity.

In total, Rheinmetall’s presentation of the Lynx KF41, HX 6x6, and Skyranger 35 at DEFEA 2025 included production examples, operational variants, and technical configurations with direct application to land forces modernization, logistics, and short-range air defence. Each platform is compatible with NATO standards and has been deployed or ordered by other allied states. The potential for technology transfer, local production, or support services was also illustrated through Rheinmetall’s reference to existing cooperation models, such as the one established with Hungary for the Lynx. These systems are positioned by Rheinmetall as candidates for evaluation by Greece’s defence establishment, in the context of potential procurement programs aimed at replacing aging equipment, increasing operational readiness, and strengthening domestic defence industry capacity.