Lynx simulation centre to be built in Hungary

The Hungarian Armed Forces showed the most spectacular development in the government’s past four-year term since the change of regime, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the defence minister, said on Tuesday.

New Lynx simulation centre

Speaking at the laying of the cornerstone of the Lynx simulation centre in Hódmezővásárhely, in the south of Hungary, the minister said “previous terms played an important part in getting us this far, but we had the opportunity to have taken delivery of most of the equipment and develop these into capabilities“.

The equipment purchased in the framework of the military development programme in recent years have completely replaced the outdated Soviet equipment, including helicopters, fixed-winged aircraft, tanks, artillery equipment and combat vehicles, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. The changes that took place in the personnel, as well as the infrastructure development, were equally important, he added.

Hungary leader in Lynx development

In Hódmezővásárhely, a training centre is being built for soldiers serving on the Lynx armoured infantry combat vehicles. The most advanced combat vehicle in its category, a product of Germany’s Rheinmetall, has first been fielded by the Hungarian Armed Forces, the minister said, adding that the Italian and Romanian armies have also decided in favour of the equipment.

Hungary is also a leader in the development of the capability related to the Lynx combat vehicles, and this is served by the simulation centre under construction, he said. The centre is scheduled to be completed by year-end or early next year.

The minister noted the serious economic significance of the cooperation with Rheinmetall as the German company is an important investor in Hungary. The Lynx combat vehicles continuously arriving in Hódmezővásárhely are manufactured at Rheinmetall’s plant in Zalaegerszeg, in western Hungary.