Germany's KF41 Lynx to bolster Ukraine's modern warfare arsenal
The first units of the German KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle are expected to reach Ukraine as early as 2024. This German vehicle will become the most advanced infantry fighting vehicle in the Ukrainian army, offered as a "heavy" vehicle to complement the lighter Borsuk.
The German KF41 Lynx will soon join the array of equipment the Ukrainian army uses. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger confirmed this in an interview. The initial delivery to Ukraine will include 10 units, yet Ukraine's total requirement is estimated at 3,000 vehicles of this type.
The source of funding for the German aid remains uncertain. The funds might either come from a loan provided to Ukraine by the G7 or from the interest accrued on Russian assets stored in Western banks, which were frozen following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The KF41 will represent the most modern infantry fighting vehicle in the Ukrainian military. Unlike the majority of the equipment being forwarded to Ukraine, the German infantry fighting vehicle is brand new and just entering service – it has been acquired by Hungary, for instance, and both the Lynx and the KF51 Panther tank are set to be ordered by Italy.
German plans include the production of another armoured vehicle in Ukraine alongside the KF41 – the wheeled armoured personnel carrier TPz 1 Fuchs. Although Fuchs is an older design, it continues to be developed and produced in spite of its age. Rheinmetall also aims to establish its own ammunition production line in Ukraine and to produce KF51 Panther tanks.
KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle
The KF41 is a tracked infantry fighting vehicle developed by Rheinmetall. It is armed with a rapid-fire cannon of either 30 or 35 mm calibre, a machine gun, and an optional dual launcher for Spike-LR/LR2 anti-tank guided missiles. As an alternative to the ATGMs, it could be equipped with pods containing miniature drones.
The Lynx accommodates a crew of three and can carry up to eight dismounted troops. The vehicle is approximately 8 metres long and weighs between 30,000 and 45,000 kilograms, depending on its configuration and armour. Its chassis can serve as a platform for developing other combat vehicles, such as a fire support vehicle armed with a 120-mm cannon.
The KF41 Lynx is an export product – the German Bundeswehr has ordered a different infantry fighting vehicle, the Puma, which is also produced by Rheinmetall, for its own requirements.
