Rheinmetall has delivered the first of 218 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) to the Hungarian armed forces, with an export contract for Australian-made Lance turrets to be included in the program.
Rheinmetall's CEO Armin Papperger personally handed over the key to Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at a ceremony on 15 October in Hungary.
"We are very proud to be able to deliver the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to our partner Hungary today," Papperger said. "Lynx is the most versatile fighting vehicle of its class. In making this forward-looking procurement decision, Hungary’s top political and military officials have demonstrated leadership in moving Hungary at the forefront of European army technology and underlining the Hungarian government’s commitment as a reliable partner of its NATO allies, a policy which it is pursuing with systematic energy.”
Hungary is the first NATO and EU member nation to order Rheinmetall’s newly developed Lynx IFV. The Hungarian Lynx’s command and control variant will include Australian-made Lance Turrets in the overall order.
Manufactured in Australia by Rheinmetall, the local Lance turret’s export order is worth more than $100 million and includes partners MILSPEC, Marand and Supashock.
In speaking of the first delivery, Gary Stewart, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia highlighted the 'global strength and opportunity' of the Lynx program.
“Lynx is the world’s most advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle. As a global platform, being considered and selected by Australia’s allies, the Lynx program provides tangible and ongoing opportunities in Australia.
“The Lynx’s Lance Turret for Hungary is the same turret that the Australian Defence Force has chosen for the Army’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), already in-service.
“Delivering modern defence capabilities from Australia showcases the company’s production maturity and ensures long-term skills development and jobs in Rheinmetall and its extensive supply chain network,” said Stewart.
In exporting the Lance turret to Hungary, Rheinmetall Defence Australia is using production capabilities developed for Land 400 Phase 2 (Boxer CRV), which recently reached IOC.
Australia and Germany also recently announced the potential to build the Australian Boxer CRV in Queensland for delivery to the German Army.
The Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle is currently under consideration as part of the Australian Government’s Land 400 Phase 3 evaluation, alongside Hanwha's Redback IFV.