Rheinmetall to Start Building Lynx IFVs in Ukraine from 2024

Germany’s Rheinmetall has revealed plans to start producing Lynx infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine this year, besides producing artillery ammunition in the battle-ravaged country.

On June 12, Rheinmetall and Ukraine, represented by the Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand their strategic cooperation during the “Ukraine Recovery Conference” in Berlin. The agreement aims to identify and develop further areas for closer cooperation between the Ukrainian defense industry and the Düsseldorf-based technology group.

“We are already in talks to establish a joint venture for the production of artillery ammunition in Ukraine. We also want to hand over the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicles to the country this year and start manufacturing these systems in Ukraine in the near future,” Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, confirmed.

In addition to possible direct deliveries by Rheinmetall, the (re)industrialization of national manufacturing know-how is also intended to make a significant contribution to Ukraine's sustainable defence capability as part of the cooperation.

A framework agreement yet to be concluded for the delivery of several hundred Lynx combat vehicles to Ukraine would also include training, maintenance and repair services.

"The first such vehicle will be produced in Ukraine by the end of the year," Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin told Ukrinform in Berlin.

Rheinmetall supplies weapons and equipment to Ukraine through contracts with the German government, including Leopard 1 tanks, mortar shells, and drone surveillance systems. The company previously announced plans to establish at least four production plants in Ukraine.

The news of Lynx production in Ukraine comes shortly after the company opened its first plant in the country. The facility will initially repair Marder infantry fighting vehicles and later the Leopard battle tanks.

In February 2024, the two partners had already declared their intention to manufacture a six-digit number of 155mm rounds, including the corresponding propelling charges, per year in a “Ukrainian center of excellence for ammunition”. Rheinmetall is to hold 51% of the shares in the joint venture, with the Ukrainian partner holding 49%.