First Lynx IFV Produced in Hungary

Following the opening of Rheinmetall’s production, development and test facility for armored fighting vehicles in Zalaegerszeg, the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) to be built in Hungary has now rolled off the assembly line.

In mid 2024, following comprehensive function, performance and quality inspections in Zalaegerszeg, the first Hungarian-built Lynx will be transferred to the Hungarian armed forces. 

“Rheinmetall is steadily expanding its production capacity in Europe in order to meet growing demand from our customers and to support European security,” said Rheinmetall executive board chairman Armin Papperger. 

“Opened in August of this year, our new plant in Hungary is the most advanced production and testing facilities for armored vehicles anywhere in the world,” added Papperger.

“We’re proud of our team in Zalaegerszeg and of our colleagues in Germany, who reached this milestone in record time,” said Paul Walf, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Hungary.

Opened in August 2023, Rheinmetall’s ultramodern facility in Zalaegerszeg will enable the development and production of state-of-the-art wheeled and tracked armored fighting vehicles for the Hungarian armed forces. These include the Lynx KF41 family as well as the Evo version of the Panther KF51 main battle tank.

The contract originally envisaged seven variants of the Lynx KF41 for the Hungarian military: the standard infantry fighting vehicle; a command post vehicle; a reconnaissance vehicle; a forward artillery observer vehicle; a mortar track; a field ambulance; and a driver education vehicle. As a further variant, Rheinmetall will develop a Lynx mobile air defense vehicle with a Skyranger 30 turret. The contract for the conceptual development of this variant was signed in December 2023.