Bundeswehr’s Luchs 2 Reconnaissance Vehicle: Rheinmetall Receives Orders for CT-025 Medium-Calibre Turret, Oerlikon KBA 25 Automatic Cannon and Modern Simulators

February 25, 2026
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Rheinmetall just scored a major contract to arm the Bundeswehr's next-gen Luchs 2 reconnaissance vehicle with its CT-025 medium-calibre turret, packing the Oerlikon KBA 25mm automatic cannon, plus cutting-edge simulators for crew training. As General Dynamics European Land Systems leads the prime contract, this upgrade supercharges the German Army's Intelligence and Reconnaissance Corps, blending proven Swiss-designed firepower with Rheinmetall's turret tech for enhanced mobility, lethality, and battlefield awareness. The Luchs 2 isn't just a wheeled scout—it's evolving into a networked predator, capable of rapid deployment across Europe's fractured terrain while delivering precise, high-volume 25mm rounds against drones, light armor, and infantry. For the 2A community, this hits close to home because the Oerlikon KBA series shares DNA with civilian-accessible platforms like the Mauser BK-27 lineage, underscoring how military-grade autocannons trickle down to the private sector through surplus, replicas, and tech innovations. Imagine the implications: as Europe ramps up against hybrid threats from the East, these systems highlight the unmatched reliability of chain-driven, gas-operated 25mm guns—reliable enough for Bundeswehr ops, scalable for everything from range toys to potential defensive armaments in a world of escalating gray-zone conflicts. Rheinmetall's simulator package is a sly nod too; virtual training democratizes high-end skills, much like how American shooters use airsoft, PCs, and dry-fire rigs to master AR platforms without ATF headaches. The bigger picture? This deal signals NATO's pivot to affordable, mass-producible recon firepower amid budget crunches and ammo shortages, a blueprint that echoes the U.S. push for lighter, more agile systems over bloated Abrams replacements. For pro-2A folks, it's a reminder that robust civilian arms markets fuel these innovations—our AR-15s and belt-feds keep the industrial base humming, ensuring Uncle Sam (and allies) stay ahead. Watch for export ripples; if Luchs 2 proves out, expect 25mm turrets on more export vehicles, potentially inspiring stateside NFA enthusiasts dreaming of legal(ish) cannon mounts. Rheinmetall's move isn't just German muscle—it's a win for global deterrence and the right to bear the tools that make it possible.

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Rheinmetall just scored a major contract to arm the Bundeswehr’s next-gen Luchs 2 reconnaissance vehicle with its CT-025 medium-calibre turret, packing the Oerlikon KBA 25mm automatic cannon, plus cutting-edge simulators for crew training. As General Dynamics European Land Systems leads the prime contract, this upgrade supercharges the German Army’s Intelligence and Reconnaissance Corps, blending proven Swiss-designed firepower with Rheinmetall’s turret tech for enhanced mobility, lethality, and battlefield awareness. The Luchs 2 isn’t just a wheeled scout—it’s evolving into a networked predator, capable of rapid deployment across Europe’s fractured terrain while delivering precise, high-volume 25mm rounds against drones, light armor, and infantry.

For the 2A community, this hits close to home because the Oerlikon KBA series shares DNA with civilian-accessible platforms like the Mauser BK-27 lineage, underscoring how military-grade autocannons trickle down to the private sector through surplus, replicas, and tech innovations. Imagine the implications: as Europe ramps up against hybrid threats from the East, these systems highlight the unmatched reliability of chain-driven, gas-operated 25mm guns—reliable enough for Bundeswehr ops, scalable for everything from range toys to potential defensive armaments in a world of escalating gray-zone conflicts. Rheinmetall’s simulator package is a sly nod too; virtual training democratizes high-end skills, much like how American shooters use airsoft, PCs, and dry-fire rigs to master AR platforms without ATF headaches.

The bigger picture? This deal signals NATO’s pivot to affordable, mass-producible recon firepower amid budget crunches and ammo shortages, a blueprint that echoes the U.S. push for lighter, more agile systems over bloated Abrams replacements. For pro-2A folks, it’s a reminder that robust civilian arms markets fuel these innovations—our AR-15s and belt-feds keep the industrial base humming, ensuring Uncle Sam (and allies) stay ahead. Watch for export ripples; if Luchs 2 proves out, expect 25mm turrets on more export vehicles, potentially inspiring stateside NFA enthusiasts dreaming of legal(ish) cannon mounts. Rheinmetall’s move isn’t just German muscle—it’s a win for global deterrence and the right to bear the tools that make it possible.

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