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Hungarian defence minister vows to build one of the determinig forces in Central Europe
The years-long modernisation of the Hungarian Armed Forces continues to aim to build one of the determinig forces in central Europe and to develop a modern, NATO-compatible and high-tech military, the defence minister said on Monday, adding that the development had shown its results “spectacularly” in 2025.
The 2025 budget provided the resources to upgrade military equipment and gear, and to further develop capabilities, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, according to a ministry statement.
The Armed Forces received the last of an order of Leopard 2A7HU tanks in early December, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. Meanwhile, the army also ordered more than 200 Lynx KF41 armoured vehicles, “which are a great step forward for land forces”. The majoriy of the Lynxes are being manufactured at the Rheinmetall plant near Zalaegerszeg, in southeast Hungary; “that makes the programme important from an industrial and technological standpoint, too,” he said.
Hungarian defence minister about new Lynx vehicles
In 2025, the Armed Forces have taken possession of further Lynx vehicles and its training programmes received modern simulation devices for drivers and operators, he added.
The Air Force has received Airbus H225M helicopters, to be used to transport cargo and troops, as well as for reconnaissance and special operations, he said.
Those procurements will contribute to the Hungarian Armed Forces’ operations as a well-equipped, flexible and modern force, capable of operating at a high level in Hungary’s defence as well as in its duties in alliances, he said.
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While I certainly respect Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky’s attitude, I think Hungary’s best defence is what Orbán does – using diplomacy, friendship, and international commerce as weapons on Hungary’s behalf.
Hungary does not produce enough children to suffer another war.
Modernizing and growing the Hungarian army does not change this sobering fact.
One more thought – having watched the battlefront in the Ukraine for over 3 years now, I cannot help but think that the days of armoured halftracks and tanks is gone – or, at least, until they find the correct electronic warfare attachments that can disable drones.
For now – an armoured vehicle is a deathtrap with a very big bullseye painted onto it – this bullseye being namely it’s size.
The Russians have convinced me that, given the peril in which tanks now have to operate on a battlefront, older tanks, like the T-6ös and T-64, that have been re-outfitted with cage armour and anti.drone missiles are a much cheaper alternative to Leopard II tanks, which, just like the Abrams tanks, have been easily blown off the battlefield.
These older tanks have an equally high bad survival rate, and when one is lost, it is much less a logistics tragedy than is a multizillion dollar new state of the art tank.
Armoured personnel carriers, in this new war, have proven to be a sad comedi-tragedy.