Wisent 2 and Leopard Tanks Boost Defense Capabilities

On Wednesday, the Hungarian Defense Forces received its first Wisent 2 armored support vehicle at the barracks of the Klapka György 1st Armored Brigade in Tata (northwestern Hungary). The delivery marks a significant step in modernizing Hungary’s military capabilities, reports Honvedelem.hu.

Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky highlighted the importance of the acquisition, stating that every modern army requires robust, tracked armored vehicles with advanced defensive capabilities.

The Wisent 2, developed by the German manufacturer Flensburger Fahrzeugbau, meets these requirements.

Built on the chassis of the Leopard 2 tank, the Wisent 2 is designed for multiple battlefield roles, including rescuing and towing damaged vehicles, crane operations, and trenching. Its modular design allows it to be converted from a tank destroyer to an armored support vehicle within five hours.

The minister also announced the arrival of another Leopard 2A7HU tank, customized to meet Hungarian military specifications. This brings the total number of Leopard tanks delivered to 31. Two additional Leopard tanks and another Wisent 2 are expected to arrive in Tata within the next week.

Leopard 2A7HU. Photo: Honvedelem.hu

The Wisent 2’s advanced features underscore its role as a vital asset for the Hungarian military. Its 32-ton lifting capacity allows it to perform extensive battlefield repairs, such as engine replacements, under challenging conditions. These capabilities enhance the operational readiness of the brigade’s armored units, ensuring resilience in both combat and support scenarios.

Wisent 2. Photo: Honvedelem.hu

The Leopard 2A7HU tanks further bolster Hungary’s armored capabilities. Developed in collaboration with German manufacturers, the tanks incorporate advanced defensive and offensive systems tailored to Hungary’s strategic needs.

The ongoing modernization of Hungary’s armed forces reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening national defense.

The integration of the Wisent 2 and Leopard 2A7HU tanks provides the military with versatile and state-of-the-art equipment, enhancing its ability to address contemporary security challenges.

These acquisitions are part of a broader effort to ensure the Hungarian Defense Forces remain well-equipped and prepared for the demands of modern warfare. With the arrival of additional vehicles in the coming weeks, the 1st Armored Brigade will be even better positioned to fulfill its critical defense role.

In December 2018, the Ministry of Defense and the German group KNDS Deutschland (then Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) signed an agreement for the procurement of 44 Leopards and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled guns to strengthen the Hungarian Defense Forces’ land forces. Under the contract, technical rescue and bridge-launching tracked vehicles will also be delivered to the Hungarian Defense Forces. By 2028, in addition to combat vehicles that meet the requirements of 21st century warfare, 5 Wisent 2 armored support vehicles and 3 Leguan 2 armored vehicle launched bridges will be delivered to Hungary. These will complete the renewed armored force, the Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed, adding that the continuous arrival of high-tech equipment will serve the security of the Hungarian people and further build the deterrent power of the Hungarian Defense Forces.

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