The DEFEA defence trade fair will take place in Athens from 6 to 8 May 2025. Rheinmetall will be there as a strong partner for international defence and security forces. Under the motto Freedom needs Enablers, the Duesseldorf-based technology group will once again be presenting abroad range of systems and products from its Vehicle Systems, Weapon and Ammunition and Electronic Solutions portfolio to users, procurers and other trade visitors at stand E2 in hall 3.
Photo: Rheinmetall AG
The highlights include:
- Lynx KF41: Rheinmetall’s next-generation infantry fighting vehicle ispresented with the main weapon MK30-2/ABM and the Main Sensor Slaved Armament (MSSA) weapon station. Rheinmetall can provide its customers with customised concepts for local manufacturing capabilities and technology transfer. The vehicle on display in Athens is from Hungarian series production. The Lynx will also provide the basis for the newItalian infantry fighting vehicle, which Rheinmetall is developing together with its Italian partner Leonardo.
- HX logistics vehicle family: Rheinmetall’s HX logistics vehicle family is characterised by outstanding off-road mobility, versatility and a high,optionally available level of protection. This enables a wide range ofapplications from professional logistics to specialised tacticalapplications. An HX 6×6 with a protected cab will be on display at DEFEA.
- Air defence: Highly mobile, modular and scalable ground-based airdefence systems are becoming increasingly important as NATO and European armed forces refocus on national and alliance defence. At DEFEA, Rheinmetall will be showcasing the Skyranger 35 turret, which can bemounted on various vehicle platforms.
- Squad Support Weapon SSW40 – the world’s first automatic,magazine-loaded, shoulder-fired grenade launcher for 40mm ammunition.The weight, dimensions and handling of the SSW40 are similar to those ofassault rifles. At DEFEA 2025, Rheinmetall will be showing a handling demonstrator of the system and providing information on the associated 40mm ammunition range.
- Soldier systems: Soldier systems integrate the individual combatant intonetworked operations management by means of end-to-end digitalisation. Rheinmetall is showcasing the latest generation of its Gladius 2. 0soldier system, based on Android BMS, in different variants.
- Laser/laser light modules: Rheinmetall’s proven laser/laser light modules such as the VarioRay, the PTAL laser light module developed for pistols and the VTAL modular laser module designed especially for special forces will be on display at the trade fair stand.
- Bullfighter combined RF/IR naval decoy: Bullfighter is the new generation in the family of 130 mm naval decoys for SRBOC, TERMA and other 130 mm launcher systems for protecting ships from anti-ship missiles. The combined radar and infrared active mass is simultaneously effective against RF and IR homing heads. Bullfighter has been successfully tested against modern radar, infrared and dual-mode homing heads with advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and is currently used by 14 NATO and non-NATO partner countries.
In Athens, Rheinmetall will also be presenting its extensive ammunition portfolio (155mm, 120mm, 40mm, 35mm, 30mm, Piovra combat swimmer mine, MK82 aircraft armament), its Acoustic Platform for Vehicles (APV) sensor system and the Saphir thermal imaging device, which is used in the Marder infantry fighting vehicle and Leopard 2 main battle tank. Airborne uncrewed systems such as the LUNA NG VTOL reconnaissance drone and the FV-002 fixed-wing reconnaissance drone round off the trade fair presentation.
Press release