First Hungarian-made Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Rolls off Production Line.

The Hungarian Defence Forces celebrated a major milestone with the rollout of the first locally produced Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle at the Rheinmetall factory in Zalaegerszeg. This significant event, held on Wednesday, July 24, was marked by a speech from Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
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First Hungarian-made Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle. 
(Picture source: Hungarian MoD)

During the handover ceremony, Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized the importance of a robust and autonomous defence industry, highlighted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He insisted on the need for a well-developed national defence industry capable of consistently providing essential military equipment, noting that such capabilities cannot be hastily assembled but require long-term planning and investment.

The Defence Minister highlighted Hungary's rich history in defence manufacturing and stressed the necessity of rebuilding this capacity. He called for leveraging Hungary's strengths and establishing strategic partnerships with allies to fill current gaps. He also emphasized the integration of new plants into the national economy and the potential benefits of defence research and development for civilian applications. According to Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary is gradually reclaiming its status in the "professional league" of defence, citing examples like the cutting-edge Gidráns and various drones. He also mentioned the upcoming opening of Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Zrt. in Várpalota as a testament to the country's growing defence capabilities.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed Hungary's ambition to produce all necessary military equipment locally, which requires reliable and forward-thinking partners. He praised Rheinmetall's contributions to global and European security, noting that Hungary has gained significant strength from this collaboration. He also acknowledged the exceptional performance of Hungarian engineers, developers, workers, welders, and technicians, calling them the future of Hungary's defence industry.

The Lynx KF41 is a modern infantry fighting vehicle designed in Germany. (Picture source: Hungarian MoD)

The Lynx KF41 is a modern infantry fighting vehicle designed to provide significant firepower and maximum protection on the battlefield. Its primary armament includes a 30 or 35 mm automatic cannon, accompanied by a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, offering a combination of firepower and flexibility for various combat situations.

This vehicle is used by Hungary and was designed in Germany, reflecting an international collaboration in defence. It is equipped with sophisticated combat systems, including a 360° independent digital commander’s sight (SEOSS-P) and a digital gunner’s sight (SEOSS-S). A network of 360° TV/IR cameras integrated with the sighting systems provides automatic target recognition and tracking. The Lynx also features a shooter locating system, laser and acoustic warning, and a battle management and tactical system, enhancing its operational effectiveness in hostile environments.

The vehicle can transport a crew of two and up to eight soldiers, providing sufficient capacity for infantry missions. Its modular armor design allows it to withstand anti-tank weapons, medium-caliber ammunition, artillery shrapnel, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and artillery shell splinters, ensuring robust protection for its occupants.

The Lynx's weight ranges from 34,000 to 50,000 kg, depending on its configuration and level of protection. Despite its impressive size, with a length of 7.7 meters, a width of 3.6 meters, and a height of 3.3 meters, it can reach a road speed of 70 km/h and has a range of 500 km, providing remarkable mobility for a vehicle of its class.

The Minister compared the Lynx to previous models, stating that it represents a significant technological advancement. He emphasized the need for well-trained soldiers to operate this high-tech equipment and mentioned the success of the "Man to the Steel" recruitment campaign, which has formed a dedicated professional military unit.

Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, noted that the Zalaegerszeg factory, inaugurated less than a year ago, had produced the first Lynx KF41, the world's most modern infantry fighting vehicle. He highlighted the significant behind-the-scenes developments over the past few years, including the establishment of Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt. and the construction of the state-of-the-art Zalaegerszeg factory. He revealed plans for producing various combat vehicle variants and a new air defence system, enhancing Hungary's and Europe's security.

Paul Walf, CEO of Rheinmetall Hungary, remarked on the changing global security landscape and Hungary's proactive stance in strengthening its defence capabilities. He praised the partnership between the Hungarian government and Rheinmetall, noting that no other European country has developed its defence capabilities to this extent. He highlighted that the Zalaegerszeg factory, Europe's most modern with development and testing capacities, can produce over 100 vehicles annually and currently employs over 220 people, with plans to hire an additional 200 Hungarian employees in the coming years.

The first Hungarian-made Lynk IFV. (Picture source: Hungarian MoD)