What at first glance appears to be a routine transport turns out, upon closer inspection, to be a complex military maneuver. In Szentes (southeastern Hungary), the Hungarian Armed Forces’ Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles crossed the Tisza River via a ferry. The exercise by the 30th Kinizsi Pál Armored Infantry Brigade from HódmezÅ‘vásárhely (southeastern Hungary) served as preparation for a large-scale international exercise in May.
The success of the crossing depended largely on the cooperation of two specialized units, reports honvedelem.hu. While the infantrymen maneuvered the heavy combat vehicles, soldiers from the 14th Engineer Regiment II Rákóczi Ferenc handled the technical aspects. In addition to operating the ferry, the engineers were responsible for all safety planning and the guidance of the vehicles.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
Major Zoltán Kondor, training officer of the Engineer Regiment, explained the two-part nature of the exercise. “We pursued two objectives simultaneously: our own personnel were trained on the water-crossing equipment, while at the same time we prepared the infantry for the specific challenges of a river crossing,” he explained.
The current training is not an isolated event but part of a larger strategic plan; it serves as a rehearsal for the upcoming Hungarian-American exercise “Szentes Castle.”
In May, in addition to Hungarian soldiers, units from the Ohio National Guard and the Hungarian-led NATO Multinational Forward Land Forces Battlegroup will participate. The scenario will be expanded to include the Danube, placing even greater demands on personnel and equipment.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
For the 2nd Company of the 1st Grenadier Battalion, the mission in Szentes was a first. Since it was their first water crossing, the focus was on ensuring smooth communication between tank mechanics and engineers.
For the drivers of the Lynx infantry fighting vehicles, the crossing is a test of nerves. On the ferry, there is hardly any room for errors. “On the ferry, I have to rely blindly on the signalmen’s hand signals. My field of vision is limited, and there’s minimal room to maneuver. It’s reminiscent of loading onto a freight train, but the swaying water makes it a completely new experience,” said Private Dominik Boldizsár, who was at the wheel of a Lynx.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
Photo: honvedelem.hu
After successfully completing the daytime exercises, training continued into the night. In conditions of limited visibility, the soldiers had to demonstrate that they could safely guide combat vehicles such as the Gidrán across the river even in the dark.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
Lynx. Photo: honvedelem.hu
These exercises underscore the Hungarian Armed Forces’ efforts to strengthen their operational capabilities within NATO structures through modern technology and interdisciplinary training.
Via honvedelem.hu; Featured photo: honvedelem.hu
The post Lynx on the Water: Spectacular Exercise on the Tisza appeared first on Hungary Today.
