German defense giant Rheinmetall has announced a possible agreement to supply several hundred Lynx infantry fighting vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This was stated in the company’s press-release.

The announcement was made at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on expanding strategic cooperation during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.

“With this agreement we confirm our intention to continue our cooperation in the coming years and create a corresponding framework. Specifically, we are already in talks to establish a joint venture for the production of artillery ammunition in Ukraine. We also want to hand over the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicles to the country this year and start manufacturing these systems in Ukraine in the near future,” stated Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.

The yet-to-be-signed framework agreement will also include training, maintenance, and repair services.

The possible date of signing the agreement, its estimated value and projected terms of execution have not been disclosed.

Militarnyi previously reported that this year Rheinmetall plans to launch production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, confirmed that the first IFV in Ukraine will be produced this year.

“This year, we will have the first Lynx made in Ukraine,” said Armin Papperger.

However, Papperger expressed concern about the budget for defense projects in Ukraine. He added that budget planning can be done only 6-12 months in advance. He said that the political leadership of the countries should agree to increase funding.

Lynx

KF41 Lynx is a heavy IFV, weighing about 44 tons, introduced by Rheinmetall in 2018.

Its main armament is a LANCE turret with a 30- or 35-mm gun and an anti-tank missile launcher, which can be equipped according to customer requirements.

The crew of the combat vehicle consists of three people. For landing, up to nine fighters can be accommodated. The IFV is protected from 30 mm shells in the frontal projection and from 14.5 mm in the lateral ones.

The bottom of the vehicle guarantees explosion protection equivalent to 10 kg of TNT. The IFV is powered by a 1470-strong Liebherr D9612 engine, which allows it to reach a speed of 70 km/h. The range along the highway is 500 km.