Author: Rheinmetall Defense|Caption: LYNX IFV
Rheinmetall Defense has entered into a new business agreement with a long-term Czech supplier, Ray Service, as part of its commitment to relocate production of the LYNX IFV to the Czech Republic. The agreement was signed on 4th December, 2019 at a ceremony at the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Prague with the intention of highlighting German-Czech industrial cooperation.
Under this agreement, Rheinmetall Defense is commissioning Ray Service to develop and manufacture a prototype lighting system for the modern, modular LYNX KF41 tracked armored vehicle. With the LYNX, Rheinmetall Landsysteme participates in the tender for the supply of new infantry combat vehicles for the Army of the Czech Republic.
See also: The Lynx KF41 – Rheinmetall’s powerful and versatile predator aspires to become the new Czech IFV platform
Ray Service, which designs and manufactures cable harnesses, electronic devices and cable components for a wide range of aerospace and defence customers, is already an established partner of Rheinmetall in the field of military ground systems. Ray Service manufactures high quality components for several Rheinmetall programs in Germany and Australia; Recently both parties have concluded a framework contract for the modernization of German infantry fighting vehicles.
The agreement with Ray Service is one of the topics related to the global activities of the LYNX program. Rheinmetall is developing its relations with other Czech companies, such as Česká zbrojovka, Quittner & Schimek and of course VOP CZ. Earlier this year, Rheinmetall announced that it will manufacture the key turret system at its plant in the Usti Region, where it already employs more than a thousand people in the automotive sector.
See also: CZUB - Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod (founded 1936)
Rheinmetall Defense emphasized its commitment to localization of production and global cooperation at an event in the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Prague on 4th December 2019.
After the signing ceremony with Ray Service, a reception co-organized by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Prague was held for the leaders of both countries' defence industries, military representatives and selekted administration to celebrate close cooperation between the two countries in the area of defense and security.
"I was looking forward to this event with our esteemed Czech colleagues and partners in the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, because our goal is to increase the security and prosperity of the Czech Republic and Germany by further intensifying the already close cooperation between the two Allies," Christoph Israng, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Czech Republic said.
“Rheinmetall Defense is a well-established and long-standing partner of Czech industry and this agreement with Ray Service and events in the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry will take this relationship a step further. The project to upgrade the fleet of Infantry Fighting Vehicles would lead to further deepening and expanding cooperation between two close allies, creating a healthy supply chain and highly qualified jobs in the Czech Republic and adding value to Czech companies. At the same time, the operational efficiency of the Army of the Czech Republic would increase, ” Oliver Mittelsdorf, senior vice president of tracked vehicles and turrets at Rheinmetall Defense, said.
See also: VOP CZ - military equipment engineering, repairs, production and development
“We are pleased that Rheinmetall Defense is expanding its collaboration with Ray Service. The development of external lights for the Lynx, along with its wiring and electromechanical boxes, would ensure a significant local share in the production of the LYNX in the Czech Republic. This cooperation has great benefits and opens up future supply opportunities for other potential users outside the Czech Republic. Since 2012, our company has been a supplier of Rheinmetall Defense in the supply of cabling and various electromechanical boxes for other platforms. Ray Service also manufactures the Kidde-Deugra fire protection system, which is installed in most Rheinmetall Defense vehicles. Ray Service also offers localization of the production of this system, similar to the intercoms of the Greek company Intracom Defense, the belts of the German company DST and the filter-ventilation system of the Israeli company Beth-El, within the LYNX project, ” Pavel Trubačík, Business Development and Marketing Director, said.
Jiří Hynek, president and executive director of the Czech Defense and Security Industry Association, said: “When Czech armed forces purchase equipment from a foreign supplier, it is in the Czech national interest that Czech manufacturers be involved in the production and service of these systems. Every state that thinks well about its defence does so. But not every foreign supplier intends to respect this condition. I am glad that German manufacturer Rheinmetall is aware of this and is willing to find suitable partners with us. Cooperation with Germany's direct neighbor is the most logical way. It promotes mutual economic growth, employment and strengthens business relations. I am glad that today will be introduced another program of Czech-German industrial cooperation, which was created no matter how the tender for the supply of infantry fighting vehicles, where Rheinmetall is one of the competitors."
Less than five years have elapsed since the initial idea of a new Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle and breakthrough order, during which the strategy was formulated and the concept and development phase was completed. For a self-financed combat vehicle in the highly demanding market segment, where extended acquisition cycles are standard, this is impressive performance.
The Lynx concept includes a complete range of vehicles, consisting of a chassis module and flexible mission kits in many variants. This means that the base vehicle can be configured as an Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Armored Personnel Carrier, command vehicle, armored rescue vehicle or field ambulance. Rebuilding a vehicle from one configuration to another is only a matter of hours. Due to the uniformity of the base vehicle, the system will reduce life cycle costs while allowing military users to adapt to changing tactical requirements or to exploit new capabilities. Lynx's outstanding survival, mobility and lethality characterize its growth potential, which is related to its overall weight.
See also: Rheinmetall at IDET 2019 – Lynx IFV and future collaboration
Its spacious interior is unsurpassed among the vehicles of the class, ensuring the operational efficiency of its three crew members and up to a nine-member infantry squad.
LYNX protects the crew from the full range of threats on the battlefield, including explosions, improvised explosive devices, direct or indirect fire, cluster munitions and anti-tank guided missiles. With its aggressive combat efficiency and excellent off-road mobility, Lynx will provide the armed forces with a decisive advantage in complex military operations in all kinds of environments by overcoming multiple threats and delivering positive results.
In 2018, 24,949 employees of the Rheinmetall Group generated annual sales of € 6.1 billion in the two main sectors of Rheinmetall Automotive and Rheinmetall Defense. The company has thus contributed to efforts to improve the situation in areas such as security and mobility, demographic change, migration flows, globalization, climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of conflicts and military disputes.