Rheinmetall has submitted a comprehensive offer for Australia's Land 400 Phase 3 – Mounted Close Combat Capability infantry fighting vehicle program. As part of the tender, the Australian Army is being offered a Lynx engineer tank (Manouevre Support Vehicle/MSV) in addition to IFV variants of the Lynx KF 41. Lynx IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and Lynx MSV were developed with the high requirements of the Australian Army and other NATO allies in mind.
Australia would like to replace the M113 currently used with a new platform. In addition to the 232 armored personnel carriers, 17 Maneuver Support Vehicles are required. The core requirement is a dismounted strength of six men and a requirement to be able to keep up with the M1 main battle tank used in terms of strategic and tactical mobility. The Australian Defense Force wants a tracked vehicle with a manned turret.
The Lynx's modular architecture means only two Lynx base vehicle configurations are needed to deliver the nine different roles the Australian Army is seeking to procure as part of its tender. The Lynx's modular system architecture also covers the four additional variants that the Australian Army would also like to investigate as part of a non-binding request, including a mortar carrier, a logistics variant and a protected amphibious vehicle.
Rheinmetall states that the Lynx offers protection against the entire threat spectrum, including against blasts and mines, IEDs, direct and indirect fire, cluster munitions and anti-tank guided missiles. With increased assertiveness and the mobility of a main battle tank, the Lynx is designed to enable military forces to manage complex military operations across the spectrum of intensity in diverse environments and against a variety of adaptive threats.
According to the company, essential systems and components required for Lynx and Lance can easily be provided locally in Australia.
William Bocklet
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