Defense Forces Sell Soviet-Era Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Serbia

Serbia has purchased a fleet of 26 BTR-80A armored infantry fighting vehicles from Hungary. The sold Soviet/Russian-made equipment does not meet Hungary’s long-term defense needs; therefore, the Hungarian Defense Forces are selling them. The Hungarian Defense Forces are modernizing their fleet by acquiring new combat vehicles, as reported by Magyar Nemzet.

According to the Srbija Danas portal, the Serbian army made a very good decision in purchasing the Russian vehicles from Hungary, as the BTR will serve Serbian troops effectively in various areas.

The Hungarian Defense Forces received a total of 555 BTR-80 armored combat vehicles between 1996 and 1999, as compensation for the joint national debt with Russia.

While some of the fleet underwent modernization between 2006 and 2010, the majority is now inoperable.

The vehicles now sold are equipped with night vision devices and advanced communication systems, but they no longer align with the current needs of the Defense Forces and are thus being decommissioned. At the same time, the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle developed by the German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH will replace the BTR-80A in the Hungarian Army.

The Lynx family of combat vehicles represents the latest generation of military equipment.

It is equipped with powerful active and passive protection, advanced armament, and a range of sensor and reconnaissance systems that enable rapid situational awareness and response to combat situations in the field.

In August 2020, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the German company Rheinmetall for the domestic production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles. In September 2020, it was decided that the Hungarian Defense Forces will be equipped with 218 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles in the program, which is worth around EUR 2 billion.

Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured Image: Wikipedia