Hungary may be the first to receive new German Panther tank

The German defense concern Rheinmetall has found the first customer for its new Panther KF51 battle tank - Hungary.

This was reported by the German newspaper Handelsblatt.

Sources of the publication said that the concern and the Hungarian government reached an agreement in principle that the tank would be produced in cooperation with Hungary at the Rheinmetall plant on Hungarian territory.

Currently, Viktor Orban's government is to pay Rheinmetall about 300 million euros.

Since the contracts have not yet been signed, the cooperation could still be disrupted, sources say. However, Orban personally disseminated the first hints on social media that Hungary could participate in the creation of a German-made battle tank.

Hungary has become a key customer of Rheinmetall in recent years. In mid-August, the company opened a Lynx infantry fighting vehicle production plant in the Hungarian city of Zalaegerszeg. According to sources, Panther may also be produced there in the future. A tank of this type was already presented at the opening of the plant.

Author - Olena Madiak, 28/09/2023