The delivery of Rheinmetall’s KF91 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicles have occurred within days of each other in Italy and the Ukraine.
The former presents the KF91 toward initial testing by the Italian Army Montelibretti test centre anticipating a production contract in mid-2025 to address its combat vehicle modernization requirements. The production will be conducted in collaboration with Leonardo through a joint venture formed in 2024.
The Lynx acquisition is expected to encompass up to three-hundred and fifty vehicles in various variants. It is reported that over one thousand could eventually be produced. The majority will be fighting vehicle version equipped with the Lance unmanned turret.
Leonardo intents to incorporate domestic electronics and other assemblies into the Italian Army design. The first of the Italian production vehicles are to be provided within two years. This test vehicle was loaned to the Italian army by Rheinmetall and is likely to have been provided from KF91’s destined to the Hungarian army.
Around 7 January Rheinmetall also confirmed that a Lynx was delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces for testing as well. This is in accordance with the agreement reached in Berlin in June 2024.
At that time Rheinmetall and Ukraine executed a memorandum of understanding aimed for strategic cooperation on a number of areas. This included the company’s establishing artillery ammunition production in Ukraine and its providing the Lynx KF91. The arrangement included initial delivery of KF91 vehicles by the end of 2024. In addition, production of Lynx production capability would be developed in Ukraine. Local production would display benefits of potentially lower cost while establishing capability to fill future requirements.
Lynx is intended as an advanced and modular designed to meet the demands of modern battlefields. Its modular open architecture allows not only adaptation to mission variants like troop transport, command, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation but also for incorporating local content and systems.
Its Lance turret features either a 30mm or 35mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. It has also been shown incorporating advanced anti-tank guide missiles like the Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles or loitering munitions. It has advanced sensors, and a tactical management designed to operate in all visibility conditions. Lynx has modular composite Armor resistant to anti-tank weapons, medium-calibre, mines and IEDs, and enhanced roof protection. Active protection systems (APS) can also be installed. Though 45 tons its 1,140-horsepower Liebherr D9612 engine coupled with a Renk transmission offers a maximum speed of 70 km/h and 500-kilometre operational range.
KF91 is entering service with Hungary and was recently selected by Greece as well as the Ukraine and Italy. The last may also include Rheinmetall’s Panther Main Battle tank. Lynx is also the basis for America Rheinmetall Vehicle candidate for the US Army XM30 replacement for the M2 Bradley IFV.
by Stephen W. Miller
