German "lynx" in the Armed Forces: Why BMP Lynx is a new level for Ukraine
The Minister of Strategic Industry Alexander Kamyshin confirmed that in Ukraine they plan to produce the first Lynx BMP by the end of the year. If the German government has expanded funding, then in 2025 the Ukrainian plant will produce a "significant amount" of Lynx, said RheinMetall leader Armin Papperger. Lynx is the latest infantry fighting machine that Rheinmetall has been designed and served.
The universal platform allows you to create a machine on its base for different purposes: in the BMP version, the main weapon is 30-mm or 35 mm gun in the Lance tower, which also has several iterations. An anti-tank missile launcher, such as Spike-LR, may also be installed in addition. For the first time Lynx was presented in 2016, and the heavier version of KF41 in two years. The infantry fighting machine has modern systems and architecture.
In particular, a high level of situational awareness, modular booking and other systems. Lynx layout is classic: the front to the right of the power plant, the exhaust system to the right, and the cooling system is directed to the rear to reduce thermal and acoustic characteristics. The running part has six resistance rollers. Protection of combat vehicles may change according to the threat. Therefore, there are two types of reservation: standard MCO complex and reinforced Cue.
The first package is denoted as a set for conducting an enemy with similar weapons. The second provides an additional set of reservation for fighting in urban development. Also to protect against cumulative charges is the option to add a complex of active protection of Strike Shield APS from Rheinmetall. The tower integrated a laser radiation warning system, acoustic shot locator, and automatic target recognition and their accompaniment.
All this can increase the survival of the machine and fighters on the battlefield. The German developer created two versions of BMP Lynx KF31 and KF41. It is unknown which version will be produced in Ukraine. It distinguishes two versions of weight and other indicators. The KF31 version is lighter and weighing 35 to 38 tons. There can be up to six fighters in the landing department. The engine power is 755 horsepower, which allows you to accelerate up to 65 km/h.
The heavier version of KF41 was presented in 2018. Its maximum allowable weight is already as much as 50 tons. The landing compartment is designed for 8 people, and the engine capacity is as much as 1140 horsepower. The maximum speed is also higher and reaches 70 km/h. The larger platform allows you to install even a 120mm gun. RheinMetall notes a few points. Among them is a high degree of compatibility of parts and components in the Lynx family.
Significant awareness on the battlefield that will allow the crew to identify the target and hit the first and lesser shots. The crew, by the way, consists of three members. The versatility of the platform also allows the BMP to produce the specific needs of the customer with equal levels of protection, weapons and systems. Attention is also focused on comfort for fighters. Inside is air conditioning, and the machine itself has a high level of protection.
The Ukrainian army in its arsenal has a significant variety of infantry combat vehicles, such as the Soviet BMP line and their counterparts in the Warsaw Treaty, Western BMPs by CV90, M2 Bradley or Rosomak. If you try to compare them as simplified as possible, the Soviet BMP is "Zhiguli", Western M2 Bradley is an old but reliable and powerful Mercedes, and CV90 or Lynx is full of Mercedes or SAAB technologies of the latter.