Rheinmetall has submitted the final offer for the Lynx IFV infantry combat vehicle in the Australian Land 400 Phase 3 infantry fighting vehicle program. The submission of the Best and Final Offer (BAFO) was the result of the two-year-long testing phase Risk Management Activity (RMA) by the Australian Ministry of Defense, the company said. S&T reported on the test phase.
“The tests and associated working group discussions have mitigated a number of risks, confirmed vehicle and company performance and improved access for more Australian companies to participate in this program,” said Gary Stewart, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defense Australia.
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Rheinmetall sees the Lynx IFV as the latest generation of armored personnel carriers, which scores with its crawler tracks, digitization and high level of protection. The Rheinmetall Lance tower is equipped for a precise and superior effect and offers an integrated combat command system.
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“Thanks to its modular concept, the Lynx tracked vehicle family is very versatile. Lynx is easy to configure and retrofit so that the family of vehicles can fulfill all ten roles required by the Australian Army, ”continues Stewart.
The Lynx IFV is to be manufactured in the Rheinmetall production center MILVEHCOE with the strong participation of Australian industry – as required. The logistics vehicles (Land 121) and Boxer Radspähpanzer (Land 400 Phase 2) were and are also manufactured there. The MILVEHCOE is also the basis for the entire fleet management, training and support of the Lynx during its entire service life.
As the next step in the armaments program, the Australian armed forces prepare a final report and evaluate the BAFOs of the two providers. A decision on the purchase of around 450 armored personnel carriers is to be made in 2022. The order volume is estimated at 15 to 23 billion euros. The Australian Army aims to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by 2024/25 and full operational capability (FOC) by 2030/31.
Land 400 Phase 3 also includes 17 support tanks. Rheinmetall recently presented the Lynx Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) at the MILVEHCOE, which is logistically in line with the Lynx IFV, ESuT reported.
In 2020 Hungary decided to purchase 218 Lynx armored personnel carriers. In addition, the Lynx is in competition in the Czech Republic and the USA and other armed forces have expressed interest.
Gerhard Heiming
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