Rheinmetall has handed over the first KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) produced at the company’s Zalaegerszeg site in Hungary to the Hungarian armed forces.
The first Hungarian-produced Lynx IFV rolled off the production line in December 2023 and after thorough functional inspections and quality acceptances, it was officially handed over to the Hungarian armed forces on 24 July.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Defence Minister of Hungary: “I often say that peace requires strength, which means a lot of kinds of strength, and in this regard, we have gained real and serious strength with Rheinmetall and in this alliance, which significantly enriches Hungary. This is a kind of strategic partnership that is more than strategy or partnership – this is a real alliance, and within this framework, we hope to win the future for Hungarians, and we’re building something that will remain for the next generations, and we’re strengthening Hungary.”
Dr Björn Bernhard, Head of Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Europe: “We are grateful to be able to support the Hungarian armed forces as an industrial partner in the Lynx lighthouse project. We have now reached an important milestone within the project. With the production of the Lynx, we are seriously proving our commitment in creating local added value in Hungary and transferring technology to the country. This model is also transferable to other countries which might also be interested in similar partnerships”.
The Hungarian Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to the Rheinmetall Group in August 2020 for the supply of combat vehicles and related services valued at over €2 billion, as part of the “Zrínyi 2026” initiative.
Under this contract, 209 Lynx KF41s will be provided to the Hungarian armed forces in seven different variants, including IFV, command post vehicle, armoured reconnaissance vehicle, fire control vehicle, mortar carrier, medical vehicle, and driving school vehicle. Additionally, a Lynx air defence tank equipped with a Skyranger 30 turret is also in development under a separate contract awarded in December 2023.
The initial production phase will see Hungary receiving 46 German-made Lynx infantry fighting vehicles by the end of 2025, with the first vehicle from this series being delivered in October 2022. Subsequent production of the remaining vehicles commenced at the end of 2023, and it is being carried out by the Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt. joint venture, with Rheinmetall holding a 51% stake and the Hungarian government holding 49%, situated in Zalaegerszeg.
Rheinmetall’s advanced development and manufacturing facility in Zalaegerszeg was inaugurated in August 2023 and covers an area of approximately 33 hectares within the ZALAZone industrial complex. This facility features a well-equipped testing centre, complete with a firing tunnel. Beyond bolstering the local economy, the factory plays a significant role in fostering innovation and is expected to generate around 300 highly skilled employment opportunities.
Rheinmetall has plans for further investments at this site in the upcoming years to enhance production capacity. The production of the Lynx IFV and other variants is anticipated to further support the growth of the Hungarian economy and its defence sector.
