What Is the Rheinmetall Lynx KF41? The IFV That Won Australia and Hungary

The Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has won two major NATO-aligned procurement competitions. Australia selected it over Hanwha’s AS-21 Redback in 2023, and Hungary ordered 218 units in 2019. It is now competing in the US Army’s OMFV program — a decision that could define Western IFV doctrine for decades.

Vehicle Identity

Manufacturer	Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
Type	Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
Origin	Germany
First Unveiled	2017 (DSEI, London)
First Contract	2019 — Hungary
Operators	Hungary, Australia

Technical Specifications

Length	7.89 m
Width	3.60 m
Combat Weight	38–44 tonnes
Engine	MTU 8V 199 TE20 (1,140 hp)
Transmission	RENK HSWL 256B
Max Speed	70 km/h
Range	520 km
Main Armament	30mm MK 30-2/ABM (dual-feed)
Secondary	7.62mm FN MAG co-axial
Missile (optional)	Spike LR2
Active Protection (optional)	StrikeShield
Crew	3
Dismount Capacity	8 troops

Operators

Hungary: 218 units ordered 2019. Rheinmetall facility in Debrecen. Deliveries from 2023.

Australia: Won LAND 400 Phase 3 in 2023. 129 IFVs + 8 support vehicles, option to 211. Local production at Maryborough, Queensland.

United States (evaluation): OMFV finalist vs General Dynamics Griffin III. Decision expected 2027.

Competitors

Bradley M2A4	USA	Combat-proven, heavy firepower
CV90 Mk IV	Sweden	Modular, Arctic-optimized
AS-21 Redback	South Korea	Australia finalist, APS-integrated
Puma IFV	Germany	Most digitally advanced, most expensive

Turkey Connection

No direct procurement relationship exists, but three indirect links are strategically relevant: Turkey’s FNSS PARS III competes with KF41 in Middle Eastern markets; the RENK HSWL 256B transmission shares family lineage with RENK units evaluated for the Altay MBT; and industry reports from 2021-2022 noted exploratory Rheinmetall-BMC platform discussions.