Hungary and Rheinmetall Defense sign agreement to produce Lynx tracked armored IFV.

According to a press release published by Rheinmetall Defense on August 18, 2020, Hungarian armed forces have signed an agreement with German Company Rheinmetall Defense to produce Lynx IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The deal helps the Hungarian Army meet its NATO commitments through continued modernization of the country’s defense industry
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Rheinmetall Defense KF41 tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. (Picture source Army Recognition)

With the signing of an agreement in Unterlüss on 17 August 2020, the government of Hungary has embarked on a massive program worth over two billion euros to modernize the country’s defence industry and military capabilities. The move was announced by Hungary’s Secretariat of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology and the Commissioner for Defence Development. Rheinmetall, Europe’s foremost maker of army equipment, will be cooperating with Hungary to create a joint venture and production facility in Hungary to manufacture the most modern Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.

Hungary is the first NATO and EU member state to choose the Düsseldorf-based Group’s innovative new IFV. The step is of central importance in Hungary’s ongoing program of military and industrial development, which aims to transform the Hungarian Army as quickly as possible into a world class fighting force capable of actively addressing security challenges in the Euro-Atlantic region.

In the words of the joint statement read by László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, and Gáspár Maróth, Commissioner for Defence Development: “As part of its commitment to NATO, Hungary is replacing its heavy ground forces equipment. Following the tanks and artillery, it is now the turn of the infantry combat vehicles, which form the backbone of the capabilities set. As the most advanced system of its kind, the Lynx has demonstrated its suitability for a central role in the Army’s capabilities spectrum for decades to come. In keeping with earlier promises by the Hungarian government to enhance the nation’s armed forces, this cooperative endeavor extends far beyond the modernization of military technology. Partnering with a major European corporation will result in the modernization of our defence industry and thus to the expansion of our industrial portfolio.”

As Armin Papperger, chairman of the executive board of Rheinmetall AG, explains: “The Lynx’s market breakthrough is a major success for us. And the fact that we were able to convince Hungary – an important EU and NATO partner – to choose this innovative vehicle makes this success all the greater. In making this forward looking procurement decision, Hungary’s top political and military officials have demonstrated real leadership. Not only does the move place Hungary at the forefront of European army technology. It reaffirms the Hungarian government’s commitment to being a reliable, more militarily effective partner of its NATO allies, a policy which it is pursuing with systematic energy.”

“We’re very proud”, said Mr Papperger, “to be able to make an important contribution to the sustained expansion of Hungary’s defence technology capabilities in cooperation with local industry. We look forward to working together with our Hungarian friends and partners, and will do everything in our power to assure the long-term success of this venture.”

German Company Rheinmetall Defense has developed a full range of new tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) called Lynx that includes the KF31 and KF41.The Lynx family is divided into two vehicle classes: the Lynx KettenFahrzeug KF31 in the 30-40 tonne class and the Lynx KF41 in the 40+ tonne class. A unique feature of the family is that the Lynx KF 41 can be configured to carry eight dismounts and a two-man medium caliber turret for use in the infantry fighting vehicle role (IFV), while the KF31 can accommodate six infantrymen.