Rheinmetall has signed an agreement to create a joint venture and production facility in Hungary to manufacture the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.
The move was announced by Hungary’s Secretariat of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology and the Commissioner for Defence Development as part of a program worth over two billion euros to modernize the country’s defence industry and military capabilities.
The agreement was signed in Unterlüss on Monday.
“As part of its commitment to NATO, Hungary is replacing its heavy ground forces equipment. Following the tanks and artillery, it is now the turn of the infantry combat vehicles, which form the backbone of the capabilities set," László Palkovics, Hungary's Minister of Innovation and Technology, and Gáspár Maróth, Commissioner for Defence Development said in a joint statement.
"As the most advanced system of its kind, the Lynx has demonstrated its suitability for a central role in the Army’s capabilities spectrum for decades to come.
"In keeping with earlier promises by the Hungarian government to enhance the nation’s armed forces, this cooperative endeavour extends far beyond the modernization of military technology. Partnering with a major European corporation will result in the modernization of our defence industry and thus to the expansion of our industrial portfolio.”
“The Lynx’s market breakthrough is a major success for us," Armin Papperger, chairman of the executive board of Rheinmetall AG, said. "And the fact that we were able to convince Hungary – an important EU and NATO partner – to choose this innovative vehicle makes this success all the greater."
The Lynx KF41 is on offer for the ADF under Land 400 Phase 3.