Germany has agreed to fund the supply of five Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine under an agreement finalized in December 2025, Rheinmetall said on Monday. The first vehicles are expected to be delivered within the next few weeks.
Worth a sum in the mid–double-digit millions of euros, the contract represents Ukraine’s first step into what Rheinmetall characterizes as a broader acquisition program for its next-generation infantry fighting vehicle. The Lynx units will be fitted with a two-crew Lance turret and tailored to meet the operational needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Rheinmetall stated that Ukraine’s decision followed a comprehensive evaluation process. A single Lynx KF41 was sent to Ukraine in late 2024 for testing. With this purchase, Ukraine becomes the second operator of the platform after Hungary, which began receiving its vehicles from Rheinmetall’s newly inaugurated plant in Szeged in December 2025.
Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger expressed appreciation for Ukraine’s confidence in the company and acknowledged the German government’s role in financing the initial delivery.
Additional procurement stages are expected to involve local production in Ukraine. In November 2025, Papperger suggested setting up manufacturing lines in the country for the Lynx, as well as the Fuchs and Panther vehicles, following a production model previously adopted in Algeria.
Positioned to compete with systems such as the U.S. Bradley and Sweden’s CV90, the Lynx KF41 is Rheinmetall’s flagship infantry fighting vehicle, offering improved protection, mobility, and combat capability over earlier-generation platforms.
Germany has emerged as one of Kyiv’s key military backers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, ranking second only to the United States in overall assistance prior to Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. As of October 31, 2025, Berlin had provided nearly €20 billion ($23.3 billion) in military support, alongside an additional €5 billion ($5.8 billion) in financial and humanitarian aid.
