Rheinmetall is offering the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to the Czech Republic as a brand-new solution and Czech-made. Rheinmetall submitted the Lynx for the Army of the Czech Republic’s (ACR’s) program to replace its current BVP-2, a Czech produced version of BMP-2. In November 2017 the Czech MoD completed field tests of four tracked AFV finalists and plans to select a winning platform by mid-2018, awarding a CZK50 billion contract for a mixed batch of 210 platforms with initial deliveries to begin in 2020. The ACR were reportedly very satisfied with the Lynx. In December 2018, Lynx was shortlisted together with the Puma, ASCOD and CV90.
Lynx is an armoured fighting vehicle developed by Rheinmetall Landsysteme (part of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems division). The Kettenfahrzeug 41 (KF41) variant was unveiled publicly at the Eurosatory defence exhibition on June 12, 2018. This model has a gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes. Original outline specifications suggested a gross vehicle weight of 45 tonnes.The KF41 can carry a crew of three plus eight passengers. It is powered by an 850 kW (1,140 hp) engine and has a top speed of 70 km/h (43 mph).
The vehicle’s ballistic steel armour is designed to protect the Lynx from anti-tank weapons, medium-caliber ammunition, artillery shrapnel and bomblets. The interior is fitted with a spall liner to protect the crew, while the vehicle also features decoupled seats in addition to mine and IED protection packages that include a double floor. Additional active protection can be provided for shaped charge warhead attack using Rheinmetall’s Active Protection System AMAP-ADS. A range of passive protection and defensive aids are also available. They include a rapid obscuration system (ROSY), laser warning system and acoustic shot locator system. These are integrated in the Lance turret when it is fitted along with automatic target recognition and automatic target tracking.
The Rheinmetall Group as a technology group for mobility and security is already an established partner to the Czech Republic for decades and is represented by the Rheinmetall Automotive sector at sites in Trmice and Chabarovice. Localising content in a scalable fashion is part of Rheinmetall‘s proven track record. From sharing training and technological expertise to setting up entire military vehicles centers of excellence. Rheinmetall is both prepared and capable of expanding cooperation in the realm of Czech defence as well.
