Through a brief statement published yesterday, Rheinmetall announced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are close to receiving their first Lynx infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) supplied by Germany as part of a military assistance package, the corresponding contract for which was signed in December of last year. With deliveries expected in the coming days, the company indicated that this initial batch will consist of five vehicles, whose shipment required an investment of approximately €10 million.
It should be recalled that Ukrainian troops have already had access to a first Rheinmetall-built Lynx IFV since January 2025, which was allocated for various tests and evaluations to assess its combat performance firsthand. In particular, efforts focused on verifying the vehicle’s effectiveness when configured in the variant featuring the Lance turret and other modifications tailored to Ukrainian requirements. This has opened the door to the production of additional units, including the future possibility that some vehicles may be manufactured within Ukraine’s borders in order to strengthen its military-industrial complex and shorten delivery timelines.
Welcoming these advances in the selection and delivery of the Lynx IFV, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated through official channels: “We thank Ukraine for the trust it has placed in us. We also want to thank the German government for its support. This order is a fundamental success that underscores our ongoing efforts to support Ukraine.” This is particularly significant given that the funding for the operation is being provided by the German government now led by Friedrich Merz.
Turning to some of the known characteristics of the platform to be inducted into Ukrainian service, the Lynx features a common driving module combined with a flexible mission kit that allows its role to be adapted according to operational needs, including transport, ambulance, and command variants, among others. It is also known to be powered by an 850 kW (1,140 hp) Liebherr engine, paired with a Renk transmission system and a suspension developed by Supashock. Equipped with the aforementioned Lance turret, the vehicle mounts a 30 mm cannon as its primary armament, with the option of adding anti-tank missiles and active/passive protection systems.
Finally, it is worth noting that the delivery of the Lynx IFVs is not the only contribution planned by Germany to equip Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Consideration must also be given to the RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers. In this regard, Kyiv has already ordered a fleet of around 54 units to reinforce inventories heavily strained by combat, with the first unit having been delivered in January of last year.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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