The Romanian government has selected Rheinmetall’s Lynx infantry fighting vehicles to equip its army in a procurement estimated at 2.6 billion euros ($3.04 billion).
A total of 232 tracked vehicles will be procured through the European Union’s SAFE funding program, Defense Romania reported, citing official documents.
An additional 66 vehicles will be procured later through the national budget, the outlet added.
The procurement has been submitted to parliament for approval and represents Romania’s largest acquisition under the SAFE program. Delivery is expected to be completed within eight years of contract signing.
Romania’s Defense Upgrade
Initiated in response to the war in Ukraine, the procurement is part of a broader effort to strengthen defense preparedness.
Over 70 significant equipment procurement and equipping programs are active, at different stages, for all branches of the armed forces, Defence Industry Europe reported, citing the Romanian defense procurement agency.
Of these, 27 have ongoing contracts, many of them for the Land Forces, such as armored personnel carriers, light armored tactical vehicles, and 155 mm howitzer systems at battalion level, the outlet added.
Competing bids included the BAE Systems CV90, Hanwha Aerospace K21 Redback, and the General Dynamics European Land Systems ASCOD 2.
Lynx KF41
A larger evolution of the KF31 introduced in 2016, the KF41 features a modular design separating the base drive and mission modules for rapid role reconfiguration.
Weighing around 50 tonnes compared to the KF31’s 35 tonnes, it carries a crew of three and up to eight passengers.
Powered by an 850-kilowatt (1,140-horsepower) engine, the KF41 reaches a top speed of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour. It is equipped with the Lance 2.0 turret, armed with a 35mm Wotan cannon, and modular pods supporting systems such as Spike LR2 missiles, loitering munitions, electronic warfare suites, or unmanned aerial vehicles.
The vehicle is protected by active, passive, and reactive systems against threats, including rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles. It can be configured for roles ranging from infantry fighting and reconnaissance to command, medical evacuation, and recovery operations.
