Christoph Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary’s Protection Minister, emphasised the considerably superior expertise of the Leopard 2 tanks commissioned by Hungary in comparison with these utilized by the German military.
The latest supply of three extra Leopard 2A7HU tanks was warmly acquired by Bobrovniczky. Hungary is already outfitted with eight of those highly effective tanks, to develop their fleet to a formidable 44 autos.
Leopard 2A7HU
The Leopard 2A7HU, also referred to as the Leopard 2A7HU [Hungarian Upgrade], is a sophisticated model of the Leopard 2A7, providing a number of enhancements that make it superior to its predecessor. One of many key enhancements is within the space of firepower. The Leopard 2A7HU has been fitted with a new 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, which might hearth extra highly effective ammunition, rising its effectiveness towards each armored and unarmored targets.
The Leopard 2A7HU additionally boasts superior safety in comparison with the Leopard 2A7. It options a sophisticated modular armor safety system, which may be upgraded or changed to adapt to totally different menace ranges. This technique offers enhanced safety towards a big selection of threats, together with anti-tank missiles, IEDs, and different types of explosive units.
One other important enchancment within the Leopard 2A7HU is its superior hearth management system. This technique features a new digital interface, which permits for sooner and extra exact goal acquisition. It additionally features a thermal imaging system for improved goal detection and identification, even in low-visibility situations.
Higher mobility
Moreover, the Leopard 2A7HU has been designed with improved mobility in thoughts. It options an upgraded energy pack. This pack offers elevated horsepower. All these permitting the tank to traverse tough terrain extra simply and at increased speeds. This makes the Leopard 2A7HU extra maneuverable and versatile on the battlefield.
Lastly, the Leopard 2A7HU additionally contains a number of upgrades aimed toward bettering the tank’s sustainability and operational readiness. These embrace an auxiliary energy unit. This unit permits the tank to function its techniques with out working the primary engine. The Leopard 2A7HU energy unit saving gasoline and decreasing put on and tear. It additionally options enhanced upkeep and diagnostic techniques, which assist to cut back downtime and enhance the tank’s general operational availability.
2A7 makes means for 2A8
As BulgarianMilitary.com studies, the procurement settlement to acquire the present model of Germany’s Leopard 2 from Hungary was struck in 2018. This deal included buying 5 Wisent 2 help autos, three Leguan 2HU cellular bridges, 12 Leopard 2A4 tanks [used for training crews], and 24 PzH 2000 artillery techniques. The contract’s price was projected to be inside a vary of 1.6-1.8 billion euros.
The success of the brand new car deliveries ought to be accomplished by the top of 2028. Hungarian sources say that the experience acquired from the event of the Leopard 2A7HU shall be harnessed for the creation of a new model, the Leopard 2A8. The Leopard 2A8 is ready to be manufactured for Germany [which has ordered 18 units, with an overall agreement for 105 units], Norway [54 tanks], and the Czech Republic [up to 77 tanks, including specialized ones].
The ‘Jewel within the crown’
The most recent trio of tanks delivered to Hungary joined the ranks of the first Armored Brigade, augmenting the 5 Leopard 2A7HUs that they acquired on the finish of final yr. Moreover, the primary WiSENT 2 technical help car and the Leguan 2 tank bridge arrived in December.
Concerning the latest receipt of those newest autos, which characterize probably the most up-to-date variant of the Leopard 2, Hungarian Protection Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovnicky referred to them because the “jewel within the crown” of their Armed Forces’ modernization course of. They’re slated to interchange all of the T-72M1 tanks in energetic service, the overall of which is approximated to be between 30-40, with one other 130-160 items in reserve.
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