Leopard 2A7HU Tanks: Advancing Hungarian Defence Forces
The Hungarian Defence Forces have recently enhanced their military capabilities with the acquisition of three Leopard 2A7HU main battle tanks, alongside their first Leguan 2HU armored vehicle-launched bridge. This strategic upgrade comes as a result of a contract signed in 2018, aimed at modernizing Hungary’s ground-based armored artillery. The collaboration with KNDS Deutschland is integral to this project, which seeks to integrate a total of 44 advanced tanks and support equipment into the military’s arsenal.
The Leopard tanks and Leguan bridge will be designated to the 1st Armored Brigade, which is stationed in Tata, a town located in northwestern Hungary. This brigade will oversee the operations of all newly acquired vehicles as they transition the aging Soviet-era T-72 M1 tanks out of service. The comprehensive program also includes additional assets such as three Leguan 2HUs, five Wisent 2HU armored recovery vehicles, and 12 refurbished 2A4HU training tanks, showcasing Hungary’s commitment to strengthening its armored forces.
Specifications of the Leopard 2A7HU and Leguan 2HU
The Leopard 2A7HU tank has been tailored specifically to meet the operational requirements of the Hungarian military. It is equipped with a Rheinmetall smoothbore gun and offers a range of armaments including a secondary machine gun and a heavy machine gun mounted on its roof. With a powerful 1,500-horsepower engine, the tank can cover up to 500 kilometers (approximately 311 miles) and achieve a maximum speed of 68 kilometers (42 miles) per hour, making it a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Complementing the tanks, the Leguan 2HU is designed for rapid deployment of military bridges. It possesses an impressive payload capacity of over 70 tons (63,503 kilograms) and can deploy a 24-meter (79-foot) bridge using two 14-meter (46-foot) sections. Remarkably, the Leguan’s advanced bridging system can be operated remotely by a single individual and set up within five minutes, providing crucial support during operations.
