On October 20, 2025, the Federal Defense procurement agency Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) of the German Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth about 3 billion euros with the European branch of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) of General Dynamics Corporation for the development and supply of 274 new Luchs 2 combat reconnaissance vehicles with a wheel formula to the German army. 6x6, with an option for 82 more such cars. The start of deliveries of Luchs 2 to the Bundeswehr is scheduled for 2029.
A render image of the promising German Luchs 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle on a Piranha 6x6 wheeled chassis of the European branch of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) corporation General Dynamics (c) General Dynamics European Land Systems
The BRM Luchs 2 (originally named Korsak for some time) is to be made on the Piranha (Piranha V) wheeled platform manufactured by GDELS' Swiss subsidiary, General Dynamics European Land Systems - MOWAG (GDELS-MOWAG), and, apparently, the actual production of these machines will be carried out in Switzerland. Germany, with Luchs 2, will become the first serial customer of the Piranha V platform in the 6x6 formula.
In total, the German Bundestag allocated more than 3.5 billion euros for the Luchs 2 BRM purchase program, including the cost of developing the combat module, purchasing simulators and training equipment, and a comprehensive package of auxiliary equipment and logistics. This amount should also include a separate purchase from the Rheinmetall group of 310 Oerlikon KBA automatic guns in 25x137 mm caliber for arming these vehicles.
In the German Army, the Luchs 2 BRM is supposed to replace some of the currently used lightweight Fennek BRM with a 4x4 wheel formula. Thus, with the purchase of Luchs 2 on the Piranha V platform in the 6x6 formula, the Bundeswehr continues to increase the range of its wheeled "armored personnel carrier" platforms, already having Boxer (8x8) vehicles and Patria 6x6 vehicles approved for purchase (as part of the CAVS program led by the Finnish Patria group, which Germany joined), as well as 256 Piranha V wheeled armored vehicles in the 8x8 variant, already ordered by GDELS in February 2025, performed by TaWAN LBO Richtfunkmanagement klein (TLRk) Tactical Wide Area Network (TaWAN) radio relay communication vehicles.
Regarding the Luchs 2 BRM, GDELS states that it will be "a highly specialized reconnaissance vehicle that will set new standards in terms of autonomy, acoustic and thermal visibility, and is characterized by state-of-the-art network intelligence sensor technology, excellent mobility and the ability to perform its tasks."
So far, only fragmentary information has been provided on the appearance and characteristics of the BRM Luchs 2. Luchs 2 will be made on the Piranha V platform in a 6x6 formula and will be floating. According to the terms of the assignment, the total combat weight of the vehicle should not exceed 25 tons. According to the requirements, the BRM had to reach a maximum speed of at least 100 km/ h on the highway and have a range of at least 1,100 km at a cruising speed of 60 km/ h on the highway.
Luchs 2 is to be equipped with an uninhabited turret combat module developed by the Slovenian company Valhalla Turrets, while the modules themselves will be manufactured by Rheinmetall Electronics at a facility in Bremen. The module will be equipped with a 25 mm Oerlikon KBA automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun paired with it. It is reported that the gun's ammunition will include new high-explosive ME 327 shells developed by the Italian company MES, equipped with non-contact fuses to combat UAVs.
The Luchs 2 reconnaissance equipment will be mounted on two telescopic lifting masts at the rear of the vehicle. A promising stabilized Hensoldt BAA IV electron-optical complex will be placed on one mast, and radio intelligence equipment will probably be placed on the second mast. Both masts can be used in a raised position in motion. Acoustic detection equipment, an all-round viewing system, a multi-channel radio communication system, satellite communications equipment and electronic warfare equipment will also be installed on the car.
It should be noted that in light of the experience of the war in Ukraine, the survivability and combat value of the Luchs 2 on the modern battlefield is questionable. However, the Bundeswehr remains optimistic about the possibility of large-scale use of armored platforms in combat operations, apparently considering the war in Ukraine to be more of an "anomaly" and is still preparing to conduct highly timely combat operations with mechanized forces.
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A render image of the promising German Luchs 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle on a Piranha 6x6 wheeled chassis of the European branch of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) corporation General Dynamics (c) General Dynamics European Land Systems
