Leopard 2 and PzH 2000 for Hungary
The Hungarian armed forces have ordered 44 brand-new Leopard 2 A7+ main battle tanks and 24 brand-new PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). In addition, Hungary will receive twelve used Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks from KMW stocks for training purposes. This means that Hungary can equip one armored battalion and one artillery battalion with modern combat vehicles.
With the new weapon systems, the corresponding devices from Russian production that are still in use are to be replaced. The use of European-standard combat vehicles is a step towards improving the interoperability of Hungarian and European armed forces.
The value of the order is estimated at over one billion euros. The first vehicles are expected to be delivered no later than the end of 2020.
Hungary recently ordered 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters and 20 H145M multi-purpose helicopters with the HForce weapon system.
The extensive procurements of weapon systems are being carried out as part of the ten-year Zrinyi military development program, which has been aiming to replace weapon systems and equipment for the Hungarian armed forces since 2016.
Gerhard Heiming