The Hungarian armed forces would be the first in the world to put the combat vehicles into service, ahead of the German Bundeswehr.Continue reading
Candidates for military service can get to know one of the most powerful, mobile and armored combat vehicles, the German Leopard 2 tank, during their studies, the acting dean of the Faculty of Military Science and Military Officer Training of the National University of Public Service (NKE) informed.
Péter Lippai told the public broadcaster that in recent years the Hungarian Defense Forces have started a significant development of military forces, in the framework of which many new military equipment, including Leopard 2 A4 type tanks were acquired.
The basic type of the German-made tank is already 30 years old, but it is being continuously upgraded, and the Hungarian Defense Forces will receive the latest version, the A7, in the coming weeks, which will have even more mechanical, firepower, armor protection and digital systems, which are indispensable in modern warfare, the dean said. He said that the A4 version of the tank is intended to make the transition from the former Russian T72 tanks as gradual and simple as possible.
Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán
The Hungarian Defense Forces have purchased 12 of the A4 type and 44 of the A7 type, he added.
Bence Gieszer, a practical instructor at the NKE HHK, said that the Leopard 2A4 tracked tank is a 50-tonne machine, has a 1,500-horsepower engine, and is capable of 68 kilometers per hour. Depending on the ammunition, it is basically calibrated to fire at a range of four kilometers.
It can go over any terrain, up to a sixty-degree incline, and can wade through up to four meters of water after proper training,” the instructor added. Bence Gieszer pointed out that the computer inside the tank makes it a really effective weapon, which greatly facilitates aiming, with 99 percent accuracy on the first hit.
Featured Image: MTI