Rheinmetall unveils KF41 Lynx tracked infantry fighting vehicle offered to Australia

The KF41 as offered to the Australian Army's LAND 400 Phase 3 project. Photo c/o Rheinmetall. 

German tank manufacturer Rheinmetall has unveiled its offering to the Australian Army's future infantry fighting vehicle under the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability program, based on the KF41 Lynx tracked vehicle.

The program will be undergoing a 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) starting November 2020, wherein the shortlisted company's offerings will undergo testing and evaluation.

Rheinmetall was among the two companies shortlisted to compete for the project, which were required to provide three vehicles for the RMA. The other company competing for the project is South Korea's Hanwha Defense Systems with their Redback IFV.

Should the KF41 Lynx be selected, the vehicles would be manufactured locally at Rheinmetall Defence Australia's new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence at Redback, Queensland.

Compared to standard KF41 Lynx armored vehicles produced in Germany, these vehicles designed for Australia contain a high percentage of local content to support the Australian defense industry.

The winning IFV, together with the ongoing program to deliver Rheinmetall's Boxer wheeled armored vehicles, would replace the Australian Army's fleet of Veitnam War-era M113 tracked armored personnel carriers.


[1] Australian Defence Magazine
[2] Defence Connect
[3] Army Recognition