Rheinmetall launches production of new infantry fighting vehicle in HungaryContinue reading
On Thursday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received Armin Papperger, CEO of the German defense and automotive giant Rheinmetall, at the Carmelite monastery. Rheinmetall is carrying out large-scale investments in Hungary at several locations.
At the meeting, also attended by Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, it was said that last year, the most difficult year of the last three decades, the Hungarian economy and industry performed exceptionally well. In the time of war in Ukraine, it is clear that the launch of the Hungarian defense industry development program was a good decision, according to the statement released after the meeting.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that Hungary’s defense is the most important goal, and therefore the development of the Hungarian defense forces and military industry must not slow down, despite the European sanctions crisis. Therefore, the cooperation between Rheinmetall and the Hungarian state will continue uninterrupted.
Currently, the Hungarian defense forces are going through a major development phase of which Rheinmetall is a big part. The German manufacturer has already laid the foundation stone of its ammunition factory in Várpalota, and is also building a new factory in Zalaegerszeg for armored fighting vehicles.
The Hungarian Ministry of Defense contracted with Rheinmetall in September 2020, to supply combat vehicles and related services worth over €2 billion. In the first production phase, Hungary will take delivery of Lynx IFVs and command & control vehicles, as well as Bergepanzer 3 Büffel armored recovery vehicles, all made in Germany. In the second phase, Lynx IFVs and combat support vehicles will be produced in Hungary, with the first of these vehicles to be delivered in 2024.
A high-tech factory for this innovative fighting vehicle is now under construction in rural Zalaegerszeg, where it forms part of the ZALAZone industrial complex. It encompasses modern assembly lines, a paint shop, internal logistic systems and an automated warehouse. This center of excellence will not only contribute to maintaining and expanding Hungary’s ability to develop and produce modern fighting vehicles, but will also strengthen the country’s economy.
Featured photo via Facebook/Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky
