"We will unconditionally stand by our allies in difficult times", minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.Continue reading
One of the world’s most modern tanks will be added to the heavy brigade of the Hungarian Defense Forces in the coming days. The first Hungarian Leopard 2 A7 – which will be part of the heavy brigade offered to NATO but guaranteeing Hungary’s security – arrived in Hungary on Wednesday.
The statement quoted Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky as saying that “with the new armored vehicle, the Hungarian Defense Forces are entering the 21st century, hence this is another milestone in the defense and military development program.”
The Minister stressed that “the first five of the new tanks, made for the Hungarian Defense Forces, are expected to arrive in the next few days.
The defense forces ordered 44 of the new Leopard 2 A7s, which will be deployed to the Klapka György 1st Armored Brigade of the Hungarian Defense Forces in Tata (northwestern Hungary).”
Photo via Facebook/Szalay-Bobrovniczky Kristóf
In addition to the Leopards, Leguan bridge layer tracked armored vehicles will also be delivered to the country, and the Hungarian Defense Forces will receive the entire fleet by 2025.
The Leopard 2 A7s have high speed and maneuverability in their class and are extremely reliable.
“The transition from Soviet equipment to more modern technology is also supported by a cooperation agreement with the German company KNDS (KMW+Nexter Defense Systems), under which we are working with the factory management on additional services, simulation, and maintenance,” the Minister stressed.
The Leguan Leopard 2 is a bridge layer tracked armored vehicle designed and manufactured by the German Company KMW Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann. Photo via honvedelem.hu
Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that this cooperation guarantees that the Hungarian Defense Forces will not only receive new equipment, but also a high-quality fleet that will be supported by the German company with important services.
The Leopard tanks will be officially handed over on December 14 in Tata.
According to various industry reports, these weapons are built with reinforced bottoms, front and roof armor, and are resistant to improvised explosive devices and anti-tank mines. The vehicle is equipped with protection against incendiary liquids – Molotov cocktails, napalm – and an improved automatic fire extinguishing system.
Via MTI, Featured image via honvedelem.hu/Horváth Sztainszláv