Rheinmetall to Deliver First Lynx IFVs to Ukraine in Early 2026

German defense giant Rheinmetall has officially confirmed that it will begin delivering the latest Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

According to the company’s official website, the first batch of armored vehicles will arrive in early 2026. The contract was signed in December 2025, with the German government covering the full cost of the first stage of deliveries.

The cost of the initial batch of five vehicles is several tens of millions of euros.

“We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us. We would also like to thank the German government for its support. This order is a fundamental success that highlights our ongoing efforts to support Ukraine,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.

According to reports, these IFVs will be equipped with a two-person Lance turret and specialized gear designed based on the combat experience in Ukraine.

The KF41 successfully completed a series of tests, during which the vehicle confirmed its high levels of protection and firepower.

The next stages will involve not only the procurement of more units but also the localization of Lynx production at Ukrainian facilities.

Lynx IFV

The heavy Lynx IFV, weighing around 44 tons, was first publicly presented by Rheinmetall in 2018.

Its primary armament – a 30 mm or 35 mm automatic cannon – is mounted in the LANCE turret. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a machine gun and a launcher for anti-tank missiles, which can be tailored to the customer’s requirements.

The IFV is protected against 30 mm projectiles in the frontal projection and 14.5 mm rounds from the sides. The vehicle’s floor provides protection against an explosion equivalent to 10 kg of TNT.

The powerplant of the IFV is the 1470-horsepower Liebherr D9612 engine, which allows it to reach a speed of 70 km/h. The operational range on the highway is 500 km. The vehicle’s crew consists of three personnel. The landing force can accommodate up to 9 soldiers.

As part of close cooperation between Ukraine and Rheinmetall, the German manufacturer has agreed to localize the production of these vehicles in Ukraine. However, according to Papperger, the localization of infantry fighting vehicle production is only possible when the order involves 200-300 IFVs.

The main issue regarding their supply remains funding. It could involve hundreds of millions, if not billions, of euros. Since the first batch was financed by the German government, the source of funding for additional vehicles remains unknown at this time.