The Hungarian Defence Forces continue to strengthen their military capabilities with the recent delivery of three Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks and their first Leguan 2HU armored bridge-laying vehicle. This delivery is part of the contract signed in 2018 with the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), which includes the acquisition of 44 Leopard 2A7+ tanks and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, all newly manufactured. As planned, Budapest will assign these combat and specialized vehicles to the 1st Armored Brigade “György Klapka,” based in the northwestern city of Tata, where the armored vehicles already delivered under this modernization program are being concentrated.
The 2018 agreement also includes the delivery of three Leguan 2HU vehicles, five Wisent 2HU armored recovery vehicles, and 12 refurbished Leopard 2A4HU tanks for training purposes, all based on the proven Leopard 2 chassis. The total value of the package amounts to approximately USD 565 million, and deliveries are expected to be completed by 2028. Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized the importance of these systems for national security, stating that these armored vehicles are now ready to “safeguard Hungary’s peace.”
In the words of the Defence Minister, published on social media on May 15: “The high-tech equipment arriving steadily continues to increase our deterrent power,” highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing the Armed Forces.
It is worth recalling that Hungary received its first Leopard 2A7HU tanks in December 2023, five years after the contract with KMW was signed, aiming to replace the outdated T-72 tanks and align with NATO standards. Furthermore, the acquisition of the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers will strengthen the artillery capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Forces in the coming years.
Finally, the Leguan 2HU, based on the Leopard 2 chassis, is an advanced tactical mobility system capable of deploying bridges up to 26 meters long in under five minutes, allowing armored units to quickly overcome obstacles such as rivers, ditches, or destroyed terrain. Its modular design enables compatibility with different bridge configurations, while its armor provides protection against ballistic threats and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
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