Rheinmetall opens Lynx IFV factory in Hungary

Rheinmetall officially opened its new Lynx IFV factory in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, on 18 August. (Rheinmetall)

Rheinmetall officially opened its new factory in Zalaegerszeg on 18 August, which will produce the KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) for the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF). Addressing the opening ceremony, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said the factory would “produce top-notch military systems for the Hungarian armed forces as well as export customers”.

At the event, Papperger and Hungarian Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky signed a statement of intent on the creation of a Lynx manufacturing joint venture.

Rheinmetall highlighted its role in a press release on 18 August in Hungary's 'Zrínyi 2026' initiative to re-equip its armed forces with locally produced equipment. The company is building a 33 hectare site in Zala county in southwestern Hungary, including an electromagnetic compatibility and climate chamber, an underground firing range, and 3D measuring equipment.

The Hungarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered 209 Lynx armoured vehicles, nine Büffel 3 armoured recovery vehicles, nine armoured vehicle launched bridges (AVLBs), and 16 trucks, plus ammunition, simulators, training, an initial supply of spare parts, and maintenance support worth over EUR2 billion (USD2.17 billion) in September 2020.

Rheinmetall is building the first 46 Lynx IFVs and command-and-control vehicles as well as nine Büffel 3s in Germany, deliveries of which are under way. Another 163 Lynx IFVs and nine combat support vehicles will be built in Zalaegerszeg, with deliveries starting in 2024.

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) will produce TGS and HX trucks for Hungary in Vienna. In its 18 August press release, Rheinmetall listed the number of trucks as 38, 22 more than Hungary initially ordered.