TSAMTO, August 22. Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt. On August 18 officially opened a new enterprise in Zalaegerseg, where the assembly of the BBM "Links" for the Hungarian Armed Forces will be carried out within the framework of the Zrinyi 2026 project.
According to Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Management Board and Executive Director of Rheinmetall, the opening of a new plant with an area of 33 hectares marks an important milestone for the German company in terms of organizing production for the Hungarian Armed Forces, as well as the supply of this promising BBM to third-country markets in case of additional orders. It is planned to create an additional 350 new jobs at the Zalaegerseg plant over the next few years.
Rheinmetall in January 2023 announced the start of the initial small-scale production (LRIP) of the armored fighting vehicle "Links" in Hungary, which is the first customer of this BBM. Production included the manufacture of the Lance tower, as well as additional versions of the "Links". Serial production (FRP) was to begin in July 2023 (approx.TSAMTO: obviously, the project is a month behind schedule).
As previously reported by TSAMTO, in September 2020, the Hungarian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Rheinmetall for the supply of 209 KF41 "Links" infantry fighting vehicles, 9 Buffalo armored repair and evacuation vehicles (Bergepanzer 3), 9 armored bridge pavers (AVLB), 16 trucks, ammunition, simulators, spare parts, and also, other related equipment and services worth more than 2 billion. euro.
At the first stage of production, the Hungarian Armed Forces will receive 46 BMP and control vehicles "Links", as well as 9 BRAM "Buffalo", assembled by Rheinmetall in Germany. Their delivery should be completed by the end of 2023. Rheinmetall handed over the first of the 209 ordered BBM "Links" to the Hungarian Armed Forces on October 15, 2022.
The remaining 172 BBMs in the versions of BMP and combat support vehicles will be produced in Hungary as part of the second stage. The first of these machines is planned to be delivered in 2024 and production will be completed by 2029.
In August 2020, the Hungarian government and Rheinmetall signed an agreement to establish a joint venture that will be responsible for organizing the production of BBM in Hungary.
A modern plant was built in Zalaegerseg on the basis of the ZALAZone industrial complex. It includes assembly lines, a paint shop, a logistics structure and an automated warehouse. Other facilities include a power plant test stand, an EMC chamber, a climate chamber, an underground shooting range and a test range.
As it was announced earlier this year, the Center for Advanced Technologies will contribute to the preservation and expansion of Hungary's capabilities in the development and production of modern armored combat vehicles.
KF41 "Links" will be delivered to the Hungarian Armed Forces in seven variants, including an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), a control vehicle, a reconnaissance vehicle, an advanced artillery observer vehicle, a self-propelled mortar, an ambulance and a driver training vehicle.
The BMP "Links" will be equipped with a Rheinmetall-developed habitable Lance turret with a 30 mm cannon, as well as an integrated hybrid StrikeShield active protection system developed by Rheinmetall. The BMP is designed to transport 8 military personnel. Shooting can be carried out with programmable 30 mm ammunition. The BBM will also be able to launch the Spike LR2 ATGM.
