Hungarian Tanks & AFVs of the Cold War

Circa 4,000 vehicles 1947-90
Hungary had the smallest air force of the Warsaw Pact and its land forces were also reduced. If by 1 July 1986, the Ground Forces had 83,000 personnel, the Air Forces 22,000 for a total of 105,000 personnel, tanks and AFVs figures are only known for 1988: 1,200 T-54/T-55 tanks, and circa 100 Soviet made T-72Bs (allegedly), 90 2S1 122mm, 20 2S3 152mm self-propelled guns, while BTR-152s were mostly in reserve at that time, but still BTR-60/70s (circa 200). PT-76s were also likely in reserve, along with around 1,200 D-442 FUGs and D-944 SPzH APCs.

About 5,000 armoured vehicles 1947-1990.

in the 1950s the Army was at first equipped with un unknown number of T-34/85 tanks, but also 68 IS-2s, in service in 1950-1956, the Hungarian Revolution had all of them were returned to the Soviet Union. For years, Hungary had an occupation army and few vehicles of its own, but re-equipment started in 1960, under the watchful eye of the Soviet Union. Therefore with time, the Army received gradually 1,200 T-54 and T-55 tanks and from the late 1970s only 100 Soviet made T-72's. The Hungarian artillery corps comprised 225 M-1938 122 mm and 50 M-1943 or D-1 howitzers and ij the late 1970s, some 90 2S1 Gvodizka 122mm and twenty 2S3 Akatsiya 152mm self-propelled guns.

Soviet Union also delivered BTR-152s, BTR-60s, BTR-70s (allegedly but numbers unknown), and some BRDM-2s (They had two rear view mirrors and only used post-cold war with ISAF). Hungary used also the VS BRDM-2 (vegyi sugárfelderítö úszó gépkocsi) NBC reconnaissance vehicle, no longer in service. Similar to the BRDM-2RKhb, but with a square metal flag dispenser on the right rear. Specialised equipment consists of detection and analysing equipment MK-67P, DS-10, Gid-3, IH-95 and TMF-2. Hungary also received 100 PT-76 amphibious light tanks, ordered in 1957 from the Soviet Union, and delivered between 1959 and 1960.

The rest of the specialized park comprised 45 2K12 Kub SPAAML, two Czech MT-55A, two BLG-60M, two VT-55, two VT-72B, two BAT-2 armoured tracklayers 50 PTS-2 large amphibious tracked vehicles and 3 Pontoon Bridge sets. Note, some of these, Czech, Polish or East-German built were possibly received after the fall of the USSR.

A completely renewed Park of Armored Vehicles



To modernized its army, Hungary quickly get rid of its T-54/55s (upgrades, if any, are unknown), only keeping their 100 T-72Bs and obtaining about 195 T-72M/M1 from Soviet and Belarus stocks in the 2000s (delivered until 2006). 31 T-72M and 164 T-72M1 in 2009, with 15 in active service, 113 in reserve, 77 donated to new Iraqi Army. Hungary announced and order for 44 Leopard 2A7+ tanks from Germany to replace them in the 2020s.

BTR-80A

The country also purchased other equipments from Russia, namely 555 BTR-80 to replace its older models, BTR-60/70s and BRDMs. These are modernized versions, including a medical rescue variant and NBC variant. Numbers given in particular are 120 BTR-80A and 260 BTR-80 and 4 BTR-80 VSF.



The renewal's most spectacular additions are currently 12 Leopard 2A4s, acquired in 2020, plus 44 Leopard 2A7+ to be provided FY2022-2025.



The Lynx IFV is also the most ambitious Hungarian project so far. On August 16, 2020 the Government of Hungary and Rheinmetall Group signed a contract to start manufacturing the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle in Hungary. It is Estimated to reach full operational capability by 2026-2027. Versions are to include also the Mortar Carrier (120mm), Armoured Ambulance, and Mobile Command Post (C2/C3). The 209 Lynx will be protected by the Rheinmetall's StrikeShield system.




Other modern vehicles of the Hungarian Army includes:
  • 10(40 ordered) Gidrán MPVs co-prod. with Turkey and Germany
  • 20 Oshkosh M-ATV used in Afghanistan (under leasing)
  • 16 Cougar MRAP (same)
  • 42 second hand International MaxxPro MRAPs
  • 80 M1151 HMMWV
  • circa 30 NMS 4x4 Infantry Mobility vehicles co prod. with Turkey
  • 24 ordered PzH 2000 German self propelled guns
  • 5 ordered WISENT 2 ASVs
  • 3 ordered Leguan AVLBs
  • 9 ordered Büffel (BPz 3)




  • Rába tactical trucks

    Sofskin Vehicles
  • 12 Polaris RZR used by Hungarian spec forces
  • 63 RMMV tactical trucks 2007 + 150 HX 77 order
  • 88 Unimog trucks
  • 223 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  • 300 Rába trucks in 3 versions (2004-2007)

Rea More/src





JSTOR The Hungarian People's Army, 1947-1954, Laszlo Bencze and Frank N. Schubert.
Army recognition Hungarian Leo 2A4



Equipment of the Cold War Hungarian Army


Hungarian T-34/85 in 1947


Hungarian IS-2 in 1950. These 68 vehicles were taken back to USSR after the 1956 revolution.


Hungarian T-54


Hungarian T-55


Hungarian T-72B in 1975: 100 provided.


Hungarian T-72M1: 164 total, with 130 in reserve, puchased 2000-2009. 34 active in 2020, to be replaced by the Leopard 2A7+


Hungarian 2S1 Gvodizka


Hungarian 2S3 Akatsiya


Hungarian MT-55A (Polish-built)


Hungarian 2K12 "Kub"


Hungarian VT-55 (Czech-built)


Hungarian-built D-442 FUG (1964)


Hungarian-built D-944 SPzH APC (to come)


Hungarian BTR-152 (60 provided)


Hungarian BTR-60 (150 BTR-60Ps ordered in 1961, delivered 1963. 7 BTR-60PU-12s delivered in the 1980s.


Hungarian 9K35 SAM: 7 ordered 1979, delivered 1981-1983










Cold War Tanks

Argentine Tanks

Cold war tanks posters

Cold War Main Battle Tanks

Cold War Soviet Army

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Tactics.
They go hand in hand.

Tanks had no tactical manual when first used. It was learned the hard way and perfected over decades, as well as weapons, countermeasures and accompanying vehicles.