Hungarian Ground Forces

The Hungarian Ground Forces are one of the branches of the Hungarian Defence Forces. It is the army which handles Ground activities and troops including artillery, tanks, APC's, IFV's and ground support. Hungary's Ground forces currently pulled out of Iraq and are currently in service in Afghanistan and KFOR.

Hungarian Ground Forces
Magyar Szárazföldi Haderő
Country	Hungary
Allegiance	Hungarian Defence Forces
Branch	Ground Forces
Part of	Hungarian Defence Forces
Garrison/HQ	Székesfehérvár
Colors	Red, White and Green
Anniversaries	29 September
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Dr Gábor Böröndi

Hungary was supported by the Soviet Union during the Cold War but since the Soviet Union's fall in 1991, Hungary cut tanks, closed garrisons, and minimized troop strength. The Hungarian Army now deals with national security, peacekeeping and international conflicts. Hungary joined NATO in 1999.

Units

The two main combat units of the Hungarian Ground Forces are:

• 5th Infantry Brigade "István Bocskai", in Debrecen
  • Command Company, in Debrecen
  • 3rd Infantry Battalion "Miklós Bercsényi", in Hódmezővásárhely, with BTR-80 APCs
  • 39th Infantry Battalion in Debrecen, with BTR-80 APCs
  • 62nd Infantry Battalion in Hódmezővásárhely, with BTR-80 APCs
  • Operations Support Engineer Battalion, in Debrecen
  • Logistic Battalion, in Debrecen
  • Combat Engineer Company, in Debrecen
  • Signal Company, in Debrecen
• 25th Infantry Brigade "György Klapka", in Tata
  • Command Company, in Tata
  • 1st Infantry Battalion, in Tata, with BTR-80 APCs
  • 2nd Infantry Battalion, in Tata, with BTR-80 APCs
  • 11th Tank Battalion, in Tata, with 44x Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks[1]
  • 36th Anti-tank Missile Battalion, in Tata, with 9K115-2 Metis-M anti-tank missiles
  • 57th Garrison Support Battalion, in Tata
  • 101st Artillery Battalion, in Tata, with 24x Panzerhaubitze 2000 155 mm self-propelled howitzers[1]
  • Logistic Battalion, in Tata

Military Equipment

Infantry weapons

Hungarian special forces soldiers (KMZ) disembark from a Chinook in Croatia

• RS4/4 parachute
• RS4/4 LA parachute
• MANTA parachute
• 93M frag grenade
• 96M frag grenade
• Black Ka'bar bayonet
• AN/PVS-14 Gen3 Monocular Night Vision
• HALEM-2 laser rangefinder
• 15/80 binocular
• PSZNR-5 recce locator
• FMG 68 decontamination vehicle
• SSM-1 chemical marker
• IH-95 radiation level and contamination meter
• CAM radiation level and contamination meter
• VFK chemical recce pack
• DS-10 regiment decontamination pack
• TMF-2 automatic weather station
• 2015M protecting suit
• DECOCOM 3000 decontamination container
• regiment decontamination trailer
• 60 mm mortar

Infantry weapons

Handguns and Submachine guns
Model	Image	Origin	Type	Details
CZ SCORPION EVO 3		Czech Republic  Hungary	Submachine gun	New standard submachine guns. Assembled in Hungary.[2][3]
Heckler & Koch MP5 A3		Germany	Submachine gun	Used by Special Forces
CZ P-09 CZ P-07		Czech Republic  Hungary	Semi-automatic pistol	Assembled in Hungary.[2][3]
P9RC		Hungary	Handgun	Service Handgun, replacing PA-63.
Glock 17		Austria	Semi-automatic pistol	Used by Special Forces
Shotguns
Remington 870 Marine		United States	Pump action shotgun
Assault rifles, rifles and carbines
CZ Bren 2		Czech Republic  Hungary	Assault rifle	Assembled in Hungary. Intended to replace the AK-63.[2][3]
AK-63		Hungary	Assault Rifle	Main service rifle of the Hungarian Ground Forces and is the modernized variant of the AKM rifle. 7700 rifles have been modernized, more to follow. Versions: AK-63D/E/MF
M4A1		United States	Assault rifle	Used by Special Forces
Steyr-Mannlicher M1895		Austria-Hungary	Rifle	Ceremonial rifle.
SKS		Soviet Union	semi-automatic carbine	Ceremonial rifle.
Machine guns
M249 SAW		United States	Light machine gun	Used by Special Forces
PKM		Soviet Union	General-purpose machine gun
M2 Browning		United States	Heavy machine gun
Sniper rifles
Szép sniper rifle		Hungary	Sniper Rifle	[4]
M24 SWS		United States	Sniper Rifle	Used by Special Forces
Dragunov SVD		Soviet Union	Sniper Rifle	Will be replaced by Szép sniper rifle
Gepárd		Hungary	Anti-materiel rifle
M110		United States	Semi-Automatic Sniper System
Anti tank weapons
Carl Gustaf M4		Sweden	Recoilless rifle	Deliveries will take place between 2019-2024.[5][6]
9К115-2 Metis-M		Russia	Anti-tank missile	Unknown number delivered by Russia between 1996-1997.[7]
9M113 Konkurs		Soviet Union	Anti-tank missile	[8]
9K111 Fagot		Soviet Union	Anti-tank missile	[8]
RPG-7		Soviet Union	Rocket-propelled grenade
Grenades and grenade launchers
H&K M320		Germany	Grenade Launcher	Used by Special Forces

Vehicles

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Variant	Active Number	Details
Main Battle Tanks
Leopard 2		Germany	Main battle tank	Leopard 2A7+ Leopard 2A4	0 (44 on order) 4 (8 more on order)	44 Leopard 2A7+ and 12 Leopard 2A4 tanks on order.[9][10]
T-72		Soviet Union  Belarus	Main battle tank	T-72M1	34[11]	~ 130 tanks in reserve.[11] Will be replaced by the Leopard 2A7+ in the 2020s.[10]
Armoured personnel carriers
Lynx (Rheinmetall armoured fighting vehicle)		Germany  Hungary	armoured fighting vehicle		200+	On August 16, 2020 the Government of Hungary and Rheinmetall Group have signed a contract to start manufacturing the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle family in Hungary. Estimated to start arriving around 2024-2025, the first batch of 200+ Lynx vehicles are expected to reach operational capability in the Hungarian Defence Forces by 2026-2027. Government of Hungary and Rheinmetall Group have signed a contract to establish a joint venture to start manufacturing the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle in Hungary. The deal is estimated to worth over 2B euros including technology transfers and it confirms the Hungarian Defence Forces has chosen the Lynx KF41 as the next-gen tracked IFV for its armed forces.[12]
BTR-80		Soviet Union  Russia  Hungary	amphibious armoured personnel carrier	BTR-80A BTR-80 BTR-80 SKJ BTR-80 VSF BTR-80 MVJ BTR-80 MPAEJ BTR-80 MPFJ	120 260[8] Unknown 4[13] Unknown Unknown Unknown	555 units received from Russia between 1996-1999.[7] Modernized Hungarian-upgraded BTR-80s for technical rescue, medical rescue and NBC missions.
BRDM-2		Soviet Union	Combat reconnaissance vehicle	BRDM-2 VSBRDM-2M	12[14] 5[13]	Equipped with 9M111 and 9M113 Konkurs anit-tank missiles [15][16], others (VSBRDM-2M) are modified and upgraded for NBC missions. [17][13]
M-ATV		United States	MRAP		20+	Used by the Hungarian special forces in Afghanistan. [18]
Cougar (MRAP)		United States	MRAP		13	Used by the Hungarian special forces in Afghanistan. [19][20]
Maxxpro		United States	MRAP		~42[8]	Bought second-hand. [21][22]
M1151 HMMWV		United States	Utility vehicle		80+	Most of them used by the Hungarian special forces. [23]
Polaris RZR		United States	Light utility vehicle		12	Used by the Hungarian special forces.[24][25]
Artillery
PzH 2000		Germany	Self-propelled artillery		0	24 on order.[26]
D-20		Soviet Union	Howitzer		12[8]	283 in reserve. [27]
Surface-to-air-missile systems
2K12 Kub		Soviet Union  Hungary  Poland	Self-propelled SAM system		16[8]	Modernized in collaboration with Poland. [28]
Mistral (missile)		France	Surface-to-air missile		185[29]	Mistral 3 + Safran Matis[8] [30]
Military engineering vehicles
PTS (amphibious vehicle)		Soviet Union	Amphibious vehicle	PTS-2	50+	Some in reserve. Very large tracked amphibious vehicle used for crossing water bodies and building bridges across rivers
PMP		Soviet Union	Pontoon bridge		3	3 active set. Each set consists of 32 river element, 4 bank element, 2 track element, 12 bridging boat and 38 KraZ-255. The maximal length of one set is 227 metres.[31]
WISENT 2		Germany	Armoured Support Vehicle		0	5 on order.[32]
Leguan		Germany	Armoured vehicle-launched bridge		0	3 on order. The new Leguans are going to replace the BLG-60M armoured bridgelayers which will be transferred to the 37th Engineer Regiment. [32]
MT-55A		Czechoslovakia	Armoured vehicle-launched bridge		2	[33]
BLG-60M		East Germany	Armoured vehicle-launched bridge	BLG-60M2
TMM		Soviet Union	Vehicle-launched bridge	TMM-3	4 [34]	[35]
VT-55		Soviet Union	Armoured recovery vehicle	VT-55	2
VT-72B		Czechoslovakia	Armoured recovery vehicle		2	[36]
BAT-2		Soviet Union	Armoured tracklayer	BAT-2	2	[37]
Utility vehicles, Trucks
Model	Image	Origin	Type	Variant	Active Number	Details
Rába (company)		Hungary	Truck	H14 H18 H25	Unknown Unknown Unknown	The new H-14 series, can be armoured within 48 hours. The armour defends soldiers from bullets, splinters and IEDs[38] Production of Rába H-14, H-18, and H-25 trucks commenced in 2004, these initially locally designed chassis fitted with MAN engines, associated components including cooling system and the MAN modular military cab. Current production is CKD using some locally sourced components such as axles. About 300 examples were built using components supplied between 2004-2006, with a further 150 assembled from CKD kits delivered from 2007.
RMMV HX range of tactical trucks		Germany	Truck	HX77	63	Will also receive up to 150 RMMV HX77 8x8 trucks, with 63 delivered since 2007.
Mercedes-Benz Unimog		Germany	Truck		88
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter		Germany	Van	Van Ambulance	12 Unknown
Mercedes-Benz G-Class		Germany	Utility vehicle	G-270 G-280	223	Standard utility vehicle
Ikarus		Hungary	Bus	E95 Aries	20 100	100 Currus-Volvo Aries on order to replace Ikarus 250, 256, 280
Suzuki Vitara		Hungary	SUV		550	Standard staff car
Skoda Octavia		Czech Republic	Sedan		Unknown	Used by Military Police
Toyota Hilux		Japan	Pickup		Unknown	16 used by Military Police
Volkswagen Transporter		Germany	Van	T6 Van T6 Pickup truck	80 10
Volkswagen Crafter		Germany	Pickup truck		70

River fleet

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Active Number	Details
Neštin-class		Yugoslavia	minesweeper	3	6 minesweepers were received from Yugoslavia in 1981. As of 2020, 3 of them are in active service and the other 3 were sold.[39]
AN 2		Hungary	minesweeper	5	40 minesweepers were built between 1953 and 1956. As of 2020, 5 of them are in active service, 1 in reserve and the rest were sold.[39] [40][41]

See also

• Military of Hungary
• Royal Hungarian Army (1922–1945)
• Royal Hungarian Landwehr (1867–1918)

Citations

1. "Hungary signs deal to buy dozens of tanks, howitzers from Germany's KMW". Defense News. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
2. Moss, Matthew (10 April 2018). "Hungary to Produce CZ Weapons Under License".
3. Wilk, Remigiusz (20 December 2018). "Hungarian Defence Forces receive CZ BREN 2 rifles". IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "Saab Receives Order for Carl-Gustaf M4". 19 Dec 2018.
6. "Anti-Armour Change-Over". 12 Sep 2019.
7. "SIPRI Trade Register".
8. IISS 2019, p. 117.
9. Braatz, Kurt (19 December 2018). "Krauss-Maffei Wegmann unterstützt ungarische Heeres-Modernisierung" (PDF). Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (in German). Munich. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
10. Dunai, Peter (20 December 2018). "Update: Hungary orders Leopard 2 MBTs and PzH 2000 SPHs". IHS Jane's 360. Budapest. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
11. "Hungarian armed forces upgrade ground troop equipment". Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
12. "Operational Advisor Group Received New Combat Vehicles".
13. "Chemical Protection Unit Installed at Csörlőház". 3 Jun 2009.
14. "Artillerymen are Celebrated on 4 December". 4 Dec 2010.
15. "Flame Flowers Over the Minefield". 23 May 2014.
16. "Rain, Snow and ATGM". 14 Nov 2007.
17. "Upgrades at the Pride of the Defence Forces". 14 Nov 2007.
18. "Operational Advisor Group Received New Combat Vehicles". 24 Apr 2014.
19. "Cougars Entered into Service in Afghanistan". 19 Mar 2010.
20. "Cougar Combat Vehicles for the Safety of Hungarian Soldiers". 8 Apr 2009.
21. "Maximal Protection". 10 Feb 2011.
22. "New MRAPs in Front Line". 10 Jan 2011.
23. Valid HTML and CSS: Fülöp Gergely (dreamlite), ACME engine: Aurum / (2008-08-18). "Honvédelmi Minisztérium". Hm.gov.hu. Archived from the original on 2010-10-17. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
24. "Hungarian Defence Forces Under Dynamic Development". 29 Mar 2018.
25. "Polaris MRZR 4: No Obstacles!". 20 Apr 2018.
26. Dunai, Peter (20 December 2018). "Hungary Orders Leopard 2 MBTs and PzH 2000 SPHs". IHS Jane's.
27. "'Hibernated Abilities' Have Been Resurrected". 30 Jan 2012.
28. "2K12 KUB in Service of 12th Air-defense Missile Regiment". 27 Nov 2012.
29. "UNROCA original report Hungary 2017". unroca.org.
30. "MISTRAL in Service of 12th Air-defense Missile Regiment". 27 Nov 2012.
31. "Pontoon Bridge over Danube, Tisza and Szava". 9 Jul 2009.
32. "Generation Change". 20 Feb 2019.
33. "Bridgelayers Around the World".
34. "Military Logistics" (PDF).
35. "Demonstration of Technical Training Tasks".
36. "Hungarian T-72s".
37. "Caterpillar Monsters and Special Abilities". 3 Apr 2008.
38. "Image: H14_00.jpg, (1024 × 672 px)". raba.hu. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
39. "Equipments and Abilities of the Hungarian River Fleet Subdivision". 11 Jun 2013.
40. "Reconstruction of 2 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Patrol Boats" (PDF). 18 Feb 2019.
41. "Reconstructed Patrol Boats at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Brigade". 5 Nov 2019.

References

• IISS (2019). The Military Balance 2019. Routledge. ISBN 978-1857439885.