Rheinmetall Hungary Constructs First Lynx KF41 IFV in Zalaegerszeg Plant

Rheinmetall Hungary has manufactured the first Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) at its production facility in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.

The production marks a key milestone for Rheinmetall's expansion of Europe's armored vehicle production capacity.

The Zalaegerszeg plant was inaugurated in August 2023. The Lynx IFV, currently undergoing commissioning, will undergo comprehensive function, performance, and quality inspections before its scheduled transfer to the Hungarian armed forces in mid-2024.

The Hungarian Ministry of Defence awarded Rheinmetall a contract exceeding €2 billion in September 2020 for the supply of Lynx IFVs and related products and services. The first phase involves the delivery of 46 Lynx IFVs manufactured in Germany, with the initial vehicle transferred to the Hungarian military in October 2022. The subsequent phase, starting at the end of 2023, entails the production of the remaining vehicles in Hungary by Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt., a joint venture with co-ownership between Rheinmetall (51%) and the Hungarian state (49%).

The Lynx IFV, part of a broader contract envisioning seven variants, includes the standard infantry fighting vehicle, a command post vehicle, a reconnaissance vehicle, a forward artillery observer vehicle, a mortar track, a field ambulance, and a driver education vehicle.

Additionally, Rheinmetall will develop a Lynx mobile air defense vehicle equipped with a Skyranger 30 turret. The conceptual development contract for this variant was signed in December 2023, signaling Rheinmetall's ongoing commitment to advancing armored vehicle capabilities for the Hungarian armed forces.