ARMAMENTS

According to a press release, the German company Rheinmetall recently unveiled a new version of the Lynx KF41 armored combat vehicle, the Lynx 120.

The platform at issue is introduced as a mechanized fire support variant of the LYNX Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) with a 120mm smoothbore gun derived from the LEOPARD 2 MBT as the main armament. This lightweight version reflects the company’s desire to fill the gap between the main battle tank and an armored combat vehicle by combining high firepower, satisfactory mobility, low weight, and smaller armor than a typical armored vehicle.

The design is based on the Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx armored combat vehicle, while its vehicle architecture has been simplified and provides an open ‘plug-and-play’ capability for future upgrades, including protection, while remaining compliant with NATO standards.

It is noted at this point that the KF41 version has a maximum combat weight of 50 tons and can carry three (3) crew members and a combat team consisting of eight (8) people (IFV version). 

This version was presented as a proposal to Greece in the past, while the logo of the Lynx appeared with Greek colors for the first time at the exhibition DEFEA 2021, at the pavilion of the Greek company EODH, a partner of Rheinmetall.

Also read: Hungarian armed forces establish joint venture with Rheinmetall to produce Lynx infantry fighting vehicle – VIDEO

As to the armament of the Lynx 120, the vehicle is equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun to be in accordance with the Lynx 120 weight limitations. 

The Lynx 120 in question can also fire the new DM11 programmable multipurpose ammunition, while the vehicle carries a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and an independent weapon station for the commander with a .50 caliber machine gun. The equipment is also complemented by a 360° camera system with automatic target detection and tracking.

Protection modules, which can be applied by the crew to the field quickly and with minimal tools, are available for protection against ballistic threats, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), and artillery fire. At the same time, the platform can feature Rheinmetall’s Active Defence System (ADS) as a standard equipment item against guided anti-tank missiles (ATGM).

This light tank version follows the presentation of the Lynx armored vehicle in the Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) version by Rheinmetall Defense Australia, which you can read about in the article below.

Also read: Rheinmetall unveils next-generation Lynx platform “Lynx CSV”