The Hungarian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann for 44 new Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers.

The contract, signed Thursday by the Hungary Department of Defense, is worth more than $565 million and included in addition 12 used Leopard 2 A4 tanks for training purposes.

Hungary Defense Minister Tibor Benko said that by signing the deal, the two countries’ armed forces had strengthened their smooth and extensive cooperation.

According to the Hungarian Ministry of Defense sources, the new combat vehicles will replace the in-service Soviet-era T-72 tanks and artillery systems.

Deployed by more nations than any other, the Leopard 2 is the world’s finest main battle tank. Its overwhelming combat performance, resulting from an optimum combination of firepower, protection, mobility and operational readiness, places the Leopard 2 in a class of its own.

Crucially, it is armed with Rheinmetall’s superb 120mm smoothbore gun. Rheinmetall also makes a comprehensive range of state-of-the art ammunition for the Leopard 2 as well as supplying the tank’s fire control technology and C4I systems.

The powerful PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer is the world’s most advanced artillery system, capable of providing crucial fire support in a wide variety of operational scenarios. This unsurpassed weapons system combines long range – it can fire standard NATO rounds up to 30 or 40 km and engage targets at distances of up to 56 km with enhanced range munitions – with excellent battlefield mobility. Rugged and reliable, it has proven highly effective in action with the German and Dutch armies, etc. The PzH 2000 is jointly produced by Rheinmetall Defence and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, with Rheinmetall responsible for roughly 50% of total content.

Just few days ago, the Hungarian ministry also ordered 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters from Airbus as part of new programme, the aim of which would be to expand the capabilities of the Army.