Hungary and Rheinmetall embark on €288m Panther KF51 tank development

In a significant move to bolster its military capabilities, the Hungarian government has partnered with defence giant Rheinmetall to develop the Panther KF51 tank to production maturity. This collaboration, marked by a contract signing in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, involves a development contract worth approximately €288 million.

Rheinmetall, in cooperation with the Hungarian state-owned holding company N7, will work on constructing and qualifying a demonstrator vehicle, laying the groundwork for full-scale production. The project represents a major step in Hungary’s efforts to strengthen its national defence industrial capabilities, with N7 holding a 49 percent stake in the joint venture Rheinmetall Hungary.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, expressed enthusiasm about the milestone. “The Panther KF51 is the world’s most advanced main battle tank. It sets a new standard for the combat effectiveness of mechanized formations, while delivering a high degree of future adaptability,” he stated.

Rheinmetall and Hungary Sign Contract for Next-Generation Panther KF51 Tank Production

The Panther KF51 EVO, an evolution of the concept presented at the Eurosatory 2022 trade fair, will feature Rheinmetall’s L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun, also used in the Leopard 2 tanks. This ensures logistical compatibility with Hungary’s existing fleet of Leopard 2 tanks, while the Panther KF51 EVO will also be equipped with an autoloader and a turret architecture capable of retrofitting Rheinmetall’s new 130mm gun.

The Panther KF51 boasts advanced digitalization and networkability, along with innovative force protection technologies like the StrikeShield. Its chassis, based on the Buffalo armored recovery vehicle, contributes to the tank’s high mobility and results in logistical, maintenance, and training synergies with the Leopard 2 family.

Designed for a basic crew of three soldiers, the Panther KF51 also features a fourth station for a subsystem operator or as a mobile command post for company or battalion commanders. This development marks a crucial advancement in Hungary’s military technology and contributes significantly to the global defense industry landscape.