Hungary to develop KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank with German Company Rheinmetall.

On December 15, 2023, Hungary officially signed a contract with Rheinmetall to collaborate on the development of the next-generation KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank (MBT). This collaboration, valued at approximately €288 million, was officially signed in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, marking a significant step forward in the project's progression towards full-scale production.
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The KF51 is armed with a new 130mm Rheinmetall Future Gun System, offering improved firepower against current and foreseeable mechanized targets. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

Rheinmetall is collaborating with Hungary's state-owned holding company, N7, which holds a 49 percent stake in the joint venture known as Rheinmetall Hungary.

Hungary and Rheinmetall will closely collaborate on the joint development and preparation for full-scale production of the KF51 Panther. The concept for the KF51 Panther was initially introduced at the Eurosatory 2022 trade fair. The KF51 Panther EVO variant will feature Rheinmetall's proven L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun, ensuring logistical compatibility with Hungary's existing Leopard 2 tank fleet. Additionally, the KF51 Panther EVO will be equipped with an autoloader, and its turret architecture allows for the potential retrofitting of Rheinmetall's new 130mm gun.

One noteworthy feature of the KF51 Panther is its high level of digitalization and network connectivity. It incorporates advanced force protection technologies, including the standoff protection system known as StrikeShield, which contributes to its overall low weight of just 59 tons. All weapon systems are connected to the commander’s and gunner's optics and the fire control computer via the fully digitalized NGVA architecture. This enables both a hunter-killer and a killer function, facilitating target engagement, with potential future support from artificial intelligence (AI).

The tank's chassis is based on the Bergepanzer 3 Buffel armored recovery vehicle, and the KF51 Panther's mobility, logistics, maintenance, and training are enhanced thanks to shared components with the Leopard 2 family.

The KF51 Panther's standard crew configuration consists of three personnel: the commander, a gunner, and a driver. Additionally, there is a fourth station located on the left-hand side of the bow, reserved for a subsystem operator. This station can also serve as a mobile command post for a company or battalion commander, adding versatility to the tank's capabilities.

The KF51 is armed with a new 130mm Rheinmetall Future Gun System, offering improved firepower against current and foreseeable mechanized targets. Additionally, it offers further armament options to provide concentrated firepower for long-range strikes and against multiple targets.

The KF51 Panther features a fully integrated, comprehensive, weight-optimized protection concept, incorporating active, reactive, and passive protection technologies. One significant aspect of this concept is its active protection against KE (kinetic energy) threats, which enhances protection without adding significant weight to the system.

Building on the mobility concept of the Leopard 2 MBT, the KF51 Panther has an operational weight of just 59 tons with a maximum operating range of around 500 kilometers. Importantly, without prior preparation, it fits into the AMovP-4L profile, a capability not shared by other current main battle tank upgrades. Consequently, the KF51's tactical and strategic mobility sets it apart as a potential addition to modern armored warfare.