At the ongoing MSPO 2024 international defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland, Rheinmetall is showcasing several key developments, including the Panther KF51 main battle tank and the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle.
Notably, these combat vehicles have undergone an unexpected development path, warranting closer attention. According to the ZBiAM, the KF51 Panther designation is now being applied to the Leopard 2A4 tank that has been upgraded with the turret from the original Panther.
Read more: Phase Two of Rheinmetall Ammunition Plant Starts: Lynx Vehicles, PzH 2000 Howitzers, Leopard 2 and Panther KF51 Tanks Will Be Supplied with Hungarian Ammunition
The developer reportedly positions this upgraded vehicle as a distinct development aimed at enhancing the combat capabilities of the Leopard 2 tank, which was originally designed in the 1980s.
Key upgrades include improved protection against threats from above, a critical feature given the increasing prevalence of kamikaze drones in modern warfare. The Leopard 2A4 tank with the KF51 Panther turret can be equipped with either the L/55A1 120 mm gun or the L/51 130 mm gun. Additionally, it is suggested that this modernization is relatively easy to implement, potentially making it an attractive option for countries like Poland, which is currently modernizing its Leopard tank fleet.
However, the KF51 Panther prototype has been displayed at various exhibitions using the Leopard 2A4 chassis and was previously presented as a technology demonstrator. The exact role of this upgraded vehicle within the context of its development and export potential remains unclear, and it may represent an effort to repackage a platform that has not yet fully defined its marketability.
As for the KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, ZBiAM also mentions that a lighter variant, designated the KF31, was demonstrated at MSPO. However, no detailed information on its specific characteristics has been provided yet.
Read more: Germany's Rheinmetall Wants to Manufacture its Brand New KF51 Panther Tanks in Ukraine
