Hungary receives new Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks.

Hungary has made a significant stride with the arrival of Leopard 2A7 tanks in Tata, located in the country's northwest. The Minister of Defense, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovnicky, announced on social media that these tanks, often referred to as the "crown jewels" of Hungary's military modernization, have been delivered to the "Klapka György" 1st Armored Brigade. This announcement was made on January 10, 2023, by the minister.
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The arrival of Leopard 2A7 tanks in Hungary (Picture source: tFacebook account of the Hungarian Minister of Defense, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovnicky)

The Leopard 2A7HU, regarded as one of the world's most advanced tanks, is a key element of Hungary's defense strategy, providing enhanced deterrence on the battlefield. On January 10, three of these tanks were delivered, bringing the total number of tanks in the brigade to eight. However, this is only a part of Hungary's ambitious plan, which expects a total of forty-four Leopard 2A7HU tanks by 2028. The program also includes five Wisent 2HU tractors and three Leguan 2HU bridge-launching combat vehicles.

The Leopard 2A7HU tanks are part of Hungary's modernization efforts under the Defense and Military Development Program. These vehicles represent a new technological era and require an unprecedented approach from the Hungarian military. The earlier arrival of Leopard 2A4HU tanks in 2020 was a step in preparing the forces for this advanced equipment.

The armament of the Leopard 2A7HU is dominated by its 120 mm / L55 smoothbore cannon, capable of firing with high precision over long distances. It is also equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun, a 40 mm grenade launcher, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. This combination of armaments provides the Leopard 2A7HU with impressive firepower against various targets, including armored vehicles and fortified positions.

In terms of protection, the Leopard 2A7HU is equipped with all-around armor effective against modern threats, including Anti-Tank Guided Weapons (ATGW) and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). This advanced armor ensures optimal protection of the crew against anti-tank weapons and other projectiles.

The Leopard 2A7HU weighs approximately 64,500 kg, a weight that allows it to maintain high mobility on the battlefield. It can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h, making it fast and agile despite its size and weight. Its operational range is 450 km, providing excellent operational capability over long distances without frequent refueling.

This tank is also equipped with various technological accessories to enhance its performance and the crew's comfort. It features a collective NRBC (nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical) system, power pack preheating, crew compartment heating, a fire extinguishing system, electric bilge pumps, a thermal imaging system, an auxiliary power unit, crew compartment cooling system, and panoramic sight for the commander. These features increase the tank's survivability and improve situational awareness and crew comfort.

With a length of 10.97 m, a width of 3.81 m, and a height of 3.64 m, and a crew of four, the Leopard 2A7HU is designed to be a powerful and versatile combat platform, capable of meeting various challenges on the modern battlefield.

Industry reports highlight the robust design of the Leopard 2A7HU, featuring reinforced bottoms, fronts, and roofs, making it resistant to improvised explosive devices, anti-tank mines, incendiary liquids like napalm, and equipped with an improved automatic fire extinguishing system. This acquisition is a significant component of Hungary's defense enhancement, highlighting the country's commitment to modernizing its military capabilities.