Defence Redefined

Published on 13/11/2020 at 11:38

Rheinmetall unveils the first of three Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) designed, developed and built for the Commonwealth of Australia’s $AUD 18.1 billion (€ 11.1 billion) Land 400 Phase 3 program.

IFV Lynx is the next generation of armoured personnel carriers. It combines agility, firepower and high levels of protection as it is built to meet the stringent military requirements of potential buyers including Australia’s Land 400 Phase 3 program. The program in question provides for the replacement of Armoured Personnel Carriers M113 with 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (LAND 400 Phase 3 – Mounted Close Combat Capability). 

Rheinmetall will deliver a number of Lynx vehicles to take part in the Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) to be conducted across Australia within 12 months from November 2020. If successful, then the Lynx will be built in Queensland at the new Rheinmetall Military Vehicle Center (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank southwest of Brisbane.

Also read: “Leonidas” APC | Upgrade to IFV with a proposal from EODH

The RMA trials will incorporate a series of tests that include lethality, mobility and protection provided by the Lynx KF41. The focus of the vehicle unveiled will be the blast testing at a dedicated Commonwealth facility in the coming months.

Lynx was unveiled at a closed ceremony with selected Australian industry partners at MILVEHCOE. Each of the Lynx vehicles delivered in the RMA trials will incorporate a significant level of Australian industry content to the Rheinmetall offer for Land 400 Phase 3, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Rheinmetall looks forward to demonstrating the capability of this next generation infantry fighting vehicle,” said Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart. “We believe Lynx is the best vehicle in its class and sets a new standard in protection and the lethality needed to survive and defeat any adversary.

“Lynx has been developed so it is positioned at an ideal level of maturity when Australia needs it to enter service – and it will have a growth path to extend these capabilities through its 40-year life.”

Lynx has been selected by the Hungarian Armed Forces, which has received more than 200 vehicles. 

Rheinmetall Defense Australia will export turrets to the value of $ 150 million manufactured by Australians – and will soon announce further export orders to the Hungarian program, including orders for Australian small and medium-sized enterprises.

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

Rheinmetall is delivering 211 8×8 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) to the Australian Army after the vehicle was selected by the Commonwealth after 12 months of RMA trials by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in 2016-2017.

“Design, development and manufacture of the Lynx in Australia for the ADF will build on the advanced manufacturing jobs at our new MILVEHCOE, as well as a strong industrial network of SMEs across Australia,” Mr Stewart said.

Both Boxer and Lynx are modular in design. This means that the vehicle can be split in two, with a mission module sitting on a common drive module. This allows for swap out of mission modules for operational needs, reducing through-life cost for the introduction of new technology and ongoing fleet management.

“Rheinmetall has taken all of the significant benefits of the Boxer and ensured they are part of the Lynx KF41 package,” Mr Stewart said.

“Our partnership with Army and the Commonwealth to deliver the Boxer for Land 400 Phase 2 presents the opportunity to develop a complete armoured vehicle fighting force for the ADF.”

Also read: Rheinmetall Lynx | Watch the video on its development in the last 5 years