Rheinmetall to manufacture main armament and hulls for Hungarian PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer and Leopard 2A7+ MBT.

Rheinmetall to manufacture main armament and hulls for Hungarian PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer and Leopard 2A7+ MBT.

PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers in action in Afghanistan (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

The Düsseldorf-based Group is producing the main armament and fire control technology for 44 Leopard 2 main battle tanks as well as the main armament, fire control technology and chassis for 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The package also encompasses 13 HX and TGS logistic trucks. The contract, worth around €300 million, was recently signed. Delivery begins in 2021 and will be completed in 2025.

Rheinmetall has partnered with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to carry out the project. In December 2018, KMW won an order from the Hungarian armed forces for 44 new Leopard 2A7+ tanks and 24 new PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers. This will make Hungary the 19th Leopard 2 user nation and the eighth nation to opt for the PzH2000.

As well as having design authority, Rheinmetall is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the 120mm smoothbore technology used in all versions of the Leopard 2 tank. The same is true of the 155mm L52 main gun of the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer. Tried and tested around the globe, the Group's 120mm smoothbore gun and ammunition have been continuously perfected right from the start. The higher-pressure 120mm L55A1 gun earmarked for the Leopard 2A7+ was successfully qualified at the end of 2017, and already supplied and installed for two Leopard 2 user nations in mid 2018. Moreover, the L55A1 tank gun is capable of firing the programmable DM11 multipurpose round.

In addition, Rheinmetall possesses comprehensive expertise in the field of tracked armoured vehicles, including as an OEM. The Group developed the chassis of the PzH self-propelled howitzer.