🇭🇺 The History of the Hungarian T-72:

Hungary began replacing its aging T-54/55 tanks in 1978, acquiring an initial batch of 30 T-72s from the Soviet Union. The Hungarian People’s Army mainly operated the export T-72M and M1 variants, which had downgraded armor and optics compared to the Soviet T-72A. A 1996 plan to purchase 100 additional tanks from Belarus was later scrapped due to legal issues.

At its peak, Hungary operated 238 T-72s. After joining NATO, numbers declined sharply due to restructuring, many were donated to Iraq, sold abroad, or left to deteriorate in storage. Once deployed with armored units in Tata and Szombathely, they were later consolidated under the 25th Klapka György Brigade.

Despite solid firepower and mobility, the fleet never received major upgrades, as Hungary shifted focus to Leopard 2A4 and 2A7HU MBTs. Today, only one unit remains in service.

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