During the 29th edition of Eurosatory 2026, the international defense industry trade show organized by Coges Events and taking place June 15-19 of this year in Paris-Nord Villepinte near Paris, German group Rheinmetall AG presented the Lynx KF41 Recce, a reconnaissance variant of the KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle with counter-drone capabilities.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The Lynx KF41 Recce is fitted with the standard two-person Lance 2.0 turret armed with a 30mm MK30-2/ABM cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and optionally a remotely operated weapon station with a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun and 40mm automatic grenade launcher (unlike the A2CS Lynx ITA infantry fighting vehicle presented at the show by Leonardo, which features the Hitfist 30 NG turret system for the Italian Army).
The new feature on the reconnaissance variant is, however, a telescopic electro-optical mast designed for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) operations.
According to the manufacturer, the latest Lynx variant was developed with the requirements of modern, dynamic battlefields in mind. As a highly network-centric combat system, it combines ISTAR functions with command and fire support within a single platform, which will significantly contribute to the information advantage of friendly forces.
The vehicle is also equipped with a counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) kit. Thanks to advanced sensor technology, drones can be detected as a threat at an early stage and effectively engaged using programmable ammunition from the MK30-2/ABM cannon, which serves as the primary armament. The integration of the C-UAS kit with the Lance 2.0 turret architecture makes the system user-friendly and, like the turret itself, enables its upgrade on other platforms.
The Lynx KF41 Recce combines state-of-the-art reconnaissance and fire components and is capable of effectively countering both conventional and modern threats. The telescopic sensor mast significantly extends the observation and reconnaissance range, enabling early detection and identification of targets even in complex operational conditions. The range of capabilities is complemented by the StrikeShield active vehicle protection system (ASOP), which significantly increases the platform’s resilience against modern threats.
With the Lynx KF41 Recce, Rheinmetall AG demonstrates the consistent further development of the Lynx platform family into a fully network-centric system of combat vehicles for digital operations management. The goal was and remains for the combat vehicle family to meet current and future requirements in the areas of land operations, cyberspace, and information.
The KF41 Lynx has so far been ordered by Hungary (218 units), the aforementioned Italy (21 with an option for 20 more out of 1,050 planned), Ukraine (5 out of a probable 31 planned), and Romania (298 units), and is being offered in the US (requirement estimated at approximately 3,800 units).
Greece had expressed interest in the KF41 Lynx but ultimately decided to upgrade 500 M113 units instead; in Australia the German offer lost out to South Korean Hanwha with the AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle; and in the Czech Republic and Slovakia it was beaten by Swedish BAE Systems Hägglunds with the CV90 MkIV.
