With the arrival of the 44th Leopard tank, the Hungarian tank fleet is now complete, said the Minister of Defense at the Hungarian Defense Forces’ “Klapka György” 1st Armored Brigade barracks in Tata on Friday.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that the Leopard 2 A7HU is one of the most modern tanks in the world, and the system is complemented by Leguan bridge layer vehicles and technical rescue equipment.
The minister emphasized that in 2015, the country’s economic performance made it possible to conclude contracts that would rebuild the Hungarian Defense Forces’ tank capabilities.
L-R: Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Deutschland, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Minister of Defense, and Colonel General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the Chief of the General Staff. Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás
Colonel General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the General Staff, said that
with the purchase of the Leopards, the Hungarian Defense Forces had taken a 40-year leap forward.
The arrival of the last tank completed the battalion’s replenishment, and the acquisition of tank capabilities is aided by simulation equipment that is unique in Europe.
Photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás
The government announced to develop defense capabilities in 2016, and shortly afterwards launched the defense and military development program. In December 2018, the Hungarian Ministry of Defense and the German group KNDS Deutschland signed an agreement for the procurement of 44 Leopards and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled guns to strengthen land forces. Under the contract, technical rescue and bridge-launching tracked vehicles will also be delivered to the Hungarian Defense Forces.
The modernized armored force is scheduled to reach its completion in 2028.
In addition to combat vehicles that meet the requirements of 21st century warfare, five Wisent 2 armored support vehicles and three Leguan 2 bridge layer vehicles will be delivered to Hungary.
Via MTI, Featured image: Homvedelem.hu
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