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Author: Rheinmetall|Caption: LYNX KF 41
Rheinmetall’s LYNX KF41 is a leading contender for the Czech Republic’s procurement of 210 new Infantry Fighting Vehicles thanks to its unique combination of lethality, modularity and survivability. Partner companies from around the world have already joined forces with Rheinmetall to realise the potential of this innovative vehicle concept, and Rheinmetall’s commitment to bringing local economic advantage means significant industrial developments and job creation would go hand-in-hand with choosing the LYNX as the Czech Republic’s next-generation IFV.
To bring the maximum economic advantage to the Czech Republic, Rheinmetall has already established a number of key partnerships with some of the country’s largest defence industry companies.Rheinmetall selected the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) as its main industrial partner in the Czech Republic, forming a joint venture for the production of land technology groups and sub-groups. Under thisstrategic partnership, both companies want to enable the transfer of defence technology between Germany and the Czech Republic. CSG will act as a partner for Rheinmetall together with dozens of other Czech defence companies in its supply chain.
Local partnerships include cooperation with Czech company Ray Service for the supply of vital cable harnesses, electromechanical assemblies and external lighting systems, as well as the supply of third-party equipment including Beth-El’s NBC system, Kidde Deugra’s fire extinguishing system, and tracks and road wheels from Defence Service Tracks.Ray Service will also participate in the production of Rheinmetall’s share in providing 24 PzH 2000 howitzers for the Hungarian Army. Czech manufacturer EVPU Defence will meanwhile provide advanced surveillance and reconnaissance systems for the LYNX.
“Local industrial partnerships form the backbone of the LYNX’s participation in IFV renewal programmes the world over, and the Czech Republic is no exception,” says Oliver Mittelsdorf. “Choosing the LYNX means opting for the battlefield technology of the present and future, and the consequent modernisation of a nation’s industrial capabilities for tracked ground vehicle systems. If the LYNX wins the Czech Republic’s IFV tender, soldiers, commanders and local companies will benefit from the decision for decades to come.”
Rheinmetall’s formidable partnerships overseas
The LYNX is making waves overseas through participation in major IFV renewal tenders in the U.S.A. and Australia. With the LYNX in contention for Australia’s Land 400 Phase 3 programme, Rheinmetall Defence Australia last year opened a Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland. MILVEHCOE is a regional headquarters for Rheinmetall and a manufacturing hub for the delivery of Boxer 8x8 combat reconnaissance vehicles and high mobility logistics trucks to the Australian Defence Force.
In the U.S.A., Rheinmetall is working with local partners to provide a custom LYNX variant for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme to replace the country’s Bradley IFVs. Rheinmetall recently opened a new facility at its Stirling Heights complex in Michigan, an investment which follows the announcement of key industrial partnerships with Textron Systems, Raytheon Technologies and L3Harris Technologies. Partnership with the latter will utilise the company’s expertise in providing mission systems, cybersecurity and a modular open systems approach (MOSA), enabling cross-domain parts commonality to allow easy upgrades to the Lynx. Textron Systems, whoseLouisiana production facility has already supported more than 15 major armoured vehicle programmes in over 20 countries, will meanwhile put its robotics and production expertise at the disposal of “Team Lynx”.
Hungary is the pace-setter for IFV industrial developments
A key regional example of the success of Rheinmetall’s approach to industrial partnerships is Hungary, where the decision to buy 218 LYNX IFVs will see the first units produced in Germany before production of the remaining 172 vehicles commences at a new state-of-the-art factory being built in Zalaegerszeg. The factory is predicted to create around 500 jobs, bring potential for future exports, and focus on artificial intelligence, digitisation and robotics technology alongside LYNX production. The cornerstone of the factory was laid on December 17.
The Hungarian LYNX deal led to the establishment of Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt., a joint venture for the domestic production of IFVs and other military equipment. Following closely on the heels of the LYNX procurement, it was announced that Rheinmetall Hungary would build another factory in Hungary, this time for the production of explosives and large-calibre ammunition at Varpalota. The factory will produce ammunition for the nation’s LYNX fleet, as well as its other regularised combat vehicle types. Finally, Rheinmetall engineers will help develop a next-generation wheeled combat vehicle named Gidran, at another new plant near Kaposvar in southwestern Hungary.
“Choosing the LYNX wasn’t just a courageous, forward-looking choice securing the future capabilities of the Hungarian armed forces – it was a bold leap forward for the Hungarian defence industry as a whole,” says Oliver Mittelsdorf, Senior Vice President Sales at Rheinmetall Defence. “With the cornerstone of the new LYNX factory in Zalaegerszeg having been laid, and with a number of additional exciting developments announced in recent months, Rheinmetall Hungary is set to bring unprecedented industrial benefits to the country, including new jobs, cooperation with local companies, and integration into our global supply chains.”