Announced: Hungary Can Buy HX3 Self-Propelled Guns with a Range of 85 Kilometers
There have long been rumors that Hungary is planning to acquire 155-millimeter self-propelled guns operating on an HX3 truck chassis. This rumor was essentially confirmed when, at the opening of the Rheinmetall plant in Zalaegerszeg, HX3 vehicles operating in the competent technical and artillery assembly on display were added to the soon-to-be-produced Lynx infantry fighting vehicles.
One of the government commissioners responsible for defense developments, Gáspár Maróth, appeared on the High-tech Force’s official website video an hour ago, at which the expert essentially announces that Hungary is in advanced negotiations regarding the 155-millimeter artillery device operating on the HX3. This means that it is expected that the equipment will be manufactured in Hungary and systematized within the framework of the Hungarian Armed Forces.
Gáspár Maróth’s knowledge of the most important parameters of the 155 mm HX3s in the video: the weapon system is a 155 mm self-propelled gun built on an 8×8 and 10×10 truck platform. The government commissioner says a research and development program is underway to replace the L50 artillery gun with the L60.
The expert describes that the L60 cannon has a range of 82-85 km with intelligent ammunition, which exceeds the range of such artillery devices used in the war in Ukraine.
There is currently no information on exactly how many self-propelled artillery devices built on the HX3 to purchase by the Hungarian government, but it is likely that a larger number of these devices will be procured than for the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled carts. The Hungarian Armed Forces is expected to take over 24 of the latter, this year it is expected to start taking over at the artillery units.
to mention that there is usually little communication from the authorities on defense developments, while some agreements are being negotiated, that this video has been uploaded to the government commissioner in this form means that they have essentially verbally agreed on the procurement of military vehicles, only small, contractual details need to be clarified by the parties.
Rheinmetall is perhaps the most important military partner of the Hungarian government, the Lynx combat vehicle factory in Zalegerszeg, which is expected to be used in the production of 4x4s in Kaposvár, ammunition in Várpalota and good opportunities in Nyírtelek.
Cover image source: High-tech Force Facebook page.