KNDS Deutschland has completed the delivery of all 44 Leopard 2A7HU main battle tanks to the Hungarian Army.
Under the 2018 contract, Budapest also received 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, three Leguan bridge layers, and five Wisent recovery vehicles.
The deal also included a simulation center and training and logistics support.
Assigned to the Hungarian Army’s 1st Armored Brigade, the vehicles are set to replace the Soviet-era T-72M1 main battle tanks to modernize the country’s armored ground forces.
“We are building strength — the strength we need for peace. From today, our soldiers are serving the security of our country with a complete fleet of 44 high-tech tanks,” stated Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
As reported by Hungary Today, the vehicle’s hull is 7.7 meters (25.3 feet) long, extending to about 11 meters (36 feet) with the main gun pointed forward.
It is 3.7 meters (12.3 feet) wide without extra armor and about 3 meters (9.9 feet) high.
Its main weapon is a Rheinmetall L55A1 120 mm tank gun, capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 5,000 meters (16,400 feet).
Secondary armament includes a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, a remotely operated 12.7 mm machine gun, and 76 mm smoke grenade launchers.
Towards Modernization
Hungary is modernizing its armed forces under a broad upgrade program that spans land and air capabilities.
In November, local media reported that Budapest was in talks to acquire US-made HIMARS rocket artillery, following a White House meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and US President Donald Trump.
Earlier this year, the European nation received its first three L-39 Skyfox jet trainers from Aero Vodochody, delivered to Kecskemét Air Base in southern Hungary.
On the ground side, Patria signed a deal to deliver at least 24 NEMO mortars for Hungary’s Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles, with the contract awarded by Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Rheinmetall Hungary.
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