Germany uses Ukraine as a testing ground for cutting-edge weapons

German industrial group Rheinmetall delivered the first Lynx KF41 armored combat vehicle to the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the end of December 2024.

Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle manufactured by German defense giant and delivered to Ukraine. (Source: Rheinmetall)

The Defense Post news site quoted Rheinmetall General Director Armin Papperger as saying: "Currently, this armored vehicle is being tested in the Ukrainian Armed Forces so that it can soon be put into mass production."

According to Rheinmetall, mass production is expected to take place in Ukraine. Last June, the German defense giant partnered with Ukrainian state-owned company Ukroboronprom to open the first armored vehicle maintenance and repair center in the Eastern European country, which is embroiled in a conflict with Russia.

Rheinmetall is planning to build four new factories in Ukraine to become self-sufficient in defense production.

An upgrade of the KF31, the KF41 was launched in 2018 with two versions: infantry fighting vehicle and command-control vehicle.

The KF41 is equipped with ballistic steel armor to protect against anti-tank weapons, medium-caliber bullets, artillery shell fragments and cluster bombs. To protect the crew, the inside of the vehicle is lined with anti-fragmentation lining and equipped with blast-proof seats to minimize the impact of mine explosions.

In terms of weapons, the vehicle is equipped with a 30 mm automatic cannon with a range of 3,000 meters. Optional weapons include anti-tank guided missile launchers and remote-controlled weapons.

Rheinmetall has supplied the Lynx to the Czech Republic to replace the Soviet-era BMP-2 armored fighting vehicles currently in use by both Ukraine and Russia. This suggests that the Lynx will be a formidable opponent to the BMP.

Since the conflict, Ukraine has relied on foreign military supplies but is now prioritizing the localization of weapons to maintain capabilities in the defense industry.

Opening repair and production facilities in cooperation with Rheinmetall for vehicles such as the KF41 enhances Ukraine's domestic arsenal repair and maintenance capabilities, while developing a self-reliant defense industry, which is crucial to meeting Kyiv's urgent needs.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/duc-dung-ukraine-lam-noi-thu-nghiem-thu-vu-khi-toi-tan-300259.html