On 21 July, a static presentation took place and in the evening of the same day a dynamic demonstration was carried out to demonstrate KF41 Lynx’s night driving and surveillance capabilities (target location and identification). On 22 July, a dynamic demonstration was held on a test track to check how the vehicle overcomes various terrain obstacles.
The Greek press, however, did not obtain any details on that matter. Athens has not officially presented any timetable for the tests but will probably do so at a later date. Questions are also raised by press releases describing Lynx as a “digital vehicle”. It is unclear whether this refers only to the camouflage, or whether Greece will receive a vehicle enhanced with artificial intelligence elements that will reduce the crew to two soldiers.
The tests are intended to demonstrate the possibility of technically modernising the ground forces with German equipment. In addition to an unspecified number of KF41 Lynx IFVs (the minimum requirement is 205 units), the Greeks are also to receive 100 Marder 1A3s supplied by the German defence industry. These vehicles were repurchased from the Bundeswehr after they were decommissioned. They will then be able to be upgraded to the 1A5 version, retrofitted with a MELLS (Spike LR) anti-tank guided missile launcher.
The German vehicles would go to mechanised units in Evros, near the Turkish border, a move that is hardly surprising given the current state of neighbourly relations between the two NATO allies. The 205 new Lynx KF41 IFV in configuration for Australian army would allow the partial withdrawal of obsolete M113s, which will take over the roles of armoured ambulances or self-propelled mortars. Units near the Turkish border will also receive M1117 armoured personnel carriers from the US armed forces’ inventory. In total, there are to be 1,200 of these.
