PANZER: Wild cats for Hungary

Soon the first Leopards will roll through the Hungarian plain, as Hungary receives the first Leopard 2A4 from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) in Munich. These vehicles will be primarily used for training purposes to train crews in handling the newer Leopard combat tanks of the 2A7+ variant, which are expected to be delivered to Hungary starting in 2023.

The planned delivery of the Leopard combat tanks 2A4 is the first step in a more comprehensive Hungarian modernization program for tanks/artillery, which was initiated in 2018. In addition to the Leopard 2A4 combat tanks serving as stopgap measures, Hungary has also ordered 44 brand new Leopard 2A7+ combat tanks and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The contract also includes the delivery of support platforms as well as an extensive training and logistics support package. The delivery of this equipment allows the Hungarian armed forces to undergo a generational change, as the Hungarian Army still employs thirty (non-modernized) MBT T-72M1 tanks and 152mm D-20 howitzers. The choice of camouflage pattern is also interesting: Stone Gray, Bronze Green, Beige, and Gray Blue. Camouflage enthusiasts also have something to look forward to: the Hungarian Army's multicamouflage pattern 2015M called HunCam.

KMW on the internet: www.kmweg.de