For some time now, Hungary has been working hard to modernize its armed forces, as part of the “Zrinyi 2026” plan. Thus, after an order for 36 helicopters [including 20 H145M and 16 H225M Caracal], Budapest announced on August 13 its intention to procure NASAMS [National / Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System] anti-aircraft systems for approximately 840 million euros… with the United States, via the procedure known as Foreign Military Sales [FMS].
Indeed, NASAMS is the result of cooperation between the Norwegian Kongsberg and the American Raytheon, which supplies the SL-120 AMRAAM ER missiles as well as the 3D AN / MPQ-64 Sentinel radar.
But it is above all to German industry that Hungary is turning to modernize its land forces. In July, the latter took possession of their first Leopard 2A4 tanks improved by Krauss Maffei Wegmann [KMW]. Enough to wait for them until the delivery, from 2023, of the 44 Leopard 2A7 + tanks ordered in December 2018. In addition, 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers are also to be delivered.
Also in the same field, Budapest has chosen the Lynx armored fighting vehicle, developed by Rheinmetall, for its mechanized infantry units. The announcement was made by Hungary’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology, not Defense.
The amount of this contract is around 2 billion euros. In addition to the industrial aspect, it should allow the Hungarian ground forces to replace their BTR-80 vehicles inherited from the Soviet period.
“As part of its commitment to NATO, Hungary is modernizing its land forces. After tanks and artillery, it is now the turn of infantry fighting vehicles, which form the backbone of their capabilities. As the most advanced system of its kind, the Lynx has demonstrated its ability to play a central role in the range of capabilities the military must have for decades to come. In line with the Hungarian government’s previous promises to strengthen the country’s armed forces, this cooperative effort goes well beyond this modernization, ”said László Palkovics, Hungary’s Minister of Innovation and Technology.
As a reminder, the Lynx was presented for the first time in 2016, at the EuroSatory trade fair. Available in two versions, this armored vehicle, mounted on tracks, is equipped with a 30 mm or 35 mm gun on a Lance 2.0 turret as well as a 7.62 mm machine gun. It can be armed with Spike missiles. In combat configuration, its mass can reach 44 tonnes [for the KF-41] or 38 tonnes [for the KF31, capable of carrying 9 soldiers].
Hungary is the first NATO and EU country to choose this vehicle. “The Lynx’s breakthrough in the market is a major success for us. And the fact that we have succeeded in convincing Hungary – an important partner of the EU and NATO – to choose this innovative vehicle makes this success all the greater « , underlined Armin Papperger.