Ukraine to Receive First Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicles Under German-Funded Deal

Berlin / Kyiv : Germany’s defense industry giant Rheinmetall has formally confirmed that Ukraine will soon receive its first Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles, marking a significant step in Kyiv’s long-term effort to modernize its armored forces amid the ongoing war.

The delivery follows a contract signed in December 2025 under which Rheinmetall will supply an initial batch of five Lynx KF41 vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The deal, valued in the mid double-digit million euro range, is fully financed by the German government. According to the company, the first vehicles are expected to reach Ukraine as early as the beginning of 2026.

Testing and Configuration for Ukraine

The decision to proceed with the order came after extensive testing of the next-generation infantry fighting vehicle. Rheinmetall said the Lynx KF41 will be delivered with a two-man Lance turret and configured specifically to meet the operational requirements of Ukraine’s armed forces, reflecting battlefield lessons learned since 2022.

Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said the contract represents both a vote of confidence from Kyiv and a milestone for the company’s support of Ukraine. “We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us,” Papperger said. “We would also like to thank the German government for its support. This order is a fundamental success that underscores our continued efforts to support Ukraine.”

The company has also confirmed that further batches of Lynx vehicles are planned. These are expected to include localized production in Ukraine, a move intended to accelerate deliveries, strengthen logistics resilience, and support Ukraine’s domestic defense industry over the long term.

Path Toward a Large-scale Fleet

According to reporting by Militarnyi, Rheinmetall has already handed over a first Lynx KF41 unit to Ukraine for testing at the end of 2024, a fact publicly acknowledged by Papperger. Under current plans, the initial operational batch will arrive in early 2026, with deliveries continuing through the decade. By 2028, Ukraine is expected to receive up to 200 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles, making the type one of the core platforms of its mechanized forces.

The Lynx family includes two main variants, the lighter KF31 and the heavier KF41, which differ in weight, armor protection, engine power, and payload. Ukraine has opted for the larger KF41, designed to offer higher survivability and growth potential on modern battlefields.

Protection and Survivability

Rheinmetall describes the Lynx KF41 as one of the most heavily protected infantry fighting vehicles in its class. The turret is designed to withstand hits from 30-millimeter shells, while the vehicle’s full 360-degree protection can be raised to the same level through modular, detachable armor packages. Without additional armor modules, the sides of the vehicle are rated to resist 14.5-millimeter heavy machine-gun fire.

Mine and blast protection is another core feature. The bottom armor is designed to withstand explosions equivalent to up to 10 kilograms of TNT. Inside the vehicle, additional Kevlar and ceramic armor panels protect the crew and embarked infantry from shrapnel and secondary fragments, enhancing survivability during indirect fire and ambushes.

The Lynx KF41 can also be equipped with Rheinmetall’s AMAP-ADS active protection system, which combines laser warning sensors with a rapid countermeasure suite capable of detecting and neutralizing anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. According to Rheinmetall, the system’s reaction time is approximately 560 microseconds, with threats intercepted several meters from the vehicle. Complementing this is a hard-kill and soft-kill protection concept that automatically deploys smoke grenades when the vehicle is illuminated by enemy targeting lasers, disrupting missile guidance and helping to locate the firing position.

Firepower and Digital Warfare

In terms of firepower, the Lynx KF41 is armed with a 30- or 35-millimeter automatic cannon, supported by a 7.62-millimeter coaxial machine gun. Ammunition capacity ranges from 600 to 700 rounds, with an effective cannon firing range of up to 3,000 meters.

The vehicle features a fully digital fire-control system with thermal imaging and night-vision sensors for both commander and gunner, providing 360-degree situational awareness. A hunter-killer capability allows the commander to independently detect and designate targets, after which the turret automatically slews onto the threat, enabling rapid engagement.

Rheinmetall has emphasized the Lynx’s role as a networked combat platform. A digital battlefield management system enables crews to track friendly and enemy units in real time, share target data, and coordinate movements with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and other armored assets. Integrated GPS navigation and high-capacity lithium batteries allow the vehicle’s electronic systems to operate for extended periods even with the engine switched off.

A Strategic Addition for Ukraine

With its combination of heavy protection, modern sensors, and modular design, the Lynx KF41 represents a qualitative leap for Ukraine’s mechanized infantry. German officials and industry executives alike see the program as part of a broader shift from emergency wartime aid toward sustained capability building.

As deliveries begin in 2026 and scale up toward the end of the decade, the Lynx is expected to play a central role in reshaping Ukraine’s armored formations, aligning them more closely with NATO standards while retaining the flexibility to adapt to evolving battlefield threats.