The Hungarian Defense Forces have arrived in the 21st century, the commander announced on Wednesday at the central training ground in Fejér County, where he took part in the first live firing of the newly purchased German-made PZH 2000 howitzers.
Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi stressed that the Hungarian Defense Forces had “leaped into the present,” with 21st century technology finally appearing in the artillery, but that there would be further improvements.
The commander described the day as historic, as the first live firing of one of the longest-range tube artillery pieces ever was carried out under the Hungarian flag on Hungarian territory.
He mentioned that the range of the self-propelled artillery piece is 30-40 kilometers, and can be increased to 70 kilometers. He also said that the German company has delivered three howitzers so far, but twenty-one more will arrive and the delivery will be continuous.
The commander added that the development of military capabilities continues unabated, with the first Lynx armored fighting vehicles and additional Gidran combat vehicles arriving this year, and the first Airbus H225M helicopters and Leopard 2A7 tanks entering into rotation next year.
Ruszin-Szendi also said that by the end of the year, the General Staff will be reconstituted, force headquarters will be created by reducing the number of senior and middle-level staff, and five active rifle battalions will be created. Meanwhile, the number of reserve regiments will be increased from two to seven.
Featured photo: MTI/Vasvári Tamás