A milestone in the modernization of the Hungarian Ground Forces: KNDS Deutschland (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann – KMW) has successfully delivered the final system of the Leopard 2A7HU Main Battle Tank (MBT) procurement program for Hungary. The completion of all 44 Leopard 2A7HU tanks was celebrated by the Hungarian Army with a public ceremony and military parade.
Honor Award from the Hungarian Minister of Defense to KNDS
The ceremony in Tata was led by Hungarian Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Commander of the Hungarian Armed Forces, General Gábor Böröndi. KNDS Deutschland CEO Ralf Ketzel was also among the prominent attendees, participating in the event at the invitation of the Commander of the Hungarian Armed Forces.
During the ceremony, the Hungarian Minister of Defense presented a special award to KNDS in recognition of the project’s on-time and complete delivery. The award was accepted on behalf of KNDS by program manager Mario Gall, Peter Ulbrich, Managing Director of KNDS Hungary Kft., which provides local maintenance and logistics support, and Ralf Ketzel. KNDS Hungary Kft. stands out for its key role in ensuring the maintenance and high availability rates of the vehicles.
In his speech at the ceremony, KNDS Deutschland CEO Ralf Ketzel stated: “I am extremely proud to receive this award and to be here. We have played an important role in supporting the modernization of Hungary’s armed forces. As KNDS, we have proven that we can offer comprehensive one-stop solutions, not only vehicle systems but also everything from training to logistics support.”
Major Modernization Package Under the 2018 Contract
The contract signed in December 2018, with all deliveries completed on schedule as planned, provided the Hungarian Army with heavy capabilities in line with NATO standards. In addition to the 44 Leopard 2A7HU MBTs, the package included:
- 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers
- 3 LEGUAN bridge-laying systems
- 5 WiSENT armored recovery vehicles
- A comprehensive logistics package and simulation center for personnel training and sustainment.
KNDS’s strategic growth plans were also addressed during the ceremony. The company announced that it has signed a contract with the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense to build an assembly facility in Kaunas, Lithuania, for the production of up to 41 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks. This move reinforces KNDS’s strength in the European defense industry and its commitment to NATO allies.
KNDS’s strategic growth plans were also addressed during the ceremony. The company announced that it has signed a contract with the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense to build an assembly facility in Kaunas, Lithuania, for the production of up to 41 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks. This move reinforces KNDS’s strength in the European defense industry and its commitment to NATO allies.
Source: C4Defence / KNDS
