Break-in at Hungarian airport: you won’t believe what they stole
A major security breach has rocked the Hungarian Defence Forces: roughly two weeks ago, unknown individuals infiltrated the military airport in Kecskemét and stole specialised locator components from several stored MiG-29 fighter jets. The severity of the incident is heightened by the fact that it occurred within a heavily guarded military facility, with seemingly little resistance.
The “Jurassic Park” jets at Kecskemét airport
The Kecskemét base houses the remaining MIG-29s from a fleet of 28 that Hungary received from Russia in 1993 as part of a state debt settlement, according to a report by Blikk. The aircraft were retired from active duty in 2010 and replaced by Swedish Gripens. Since then, the MiG-29s have been kept in a preserved state so that, at least theoretically, they could be rendered operational if needed.
The retired fighter jets, however, have long been considered inoperable, according to retired pilot Major Zoltán Németh. On base, the area where they’re stored is jokingly referred to as “Jurassic Park,” he told the outlet.
Simple entry, targeted loot
According to reports, the intruders gained access to the site of the airport with surprising ease: they cut through a wire fence and simply walked through the opening. The thieves removed parts from the radar compartment located behind the aircraft’s nose cone, damaging the exterior in the process.
Because the stolen items have limited utility, experts believe the perpetrators knew exactly what they were after, likely acting on commission. The MIG-29 is still in active service in several countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Cuba, so demand for parts remains.
An unsellable legacy
In 2019, the Hungarian government attempted to sell the remaining 19 MiG-29s stored at Kecskemét airport, along with 20 engines and nearly 300 additional components. Despite a starting price of HUF 2.8 billion (EUR 7 million), not a single bid was placed. One major obstacle to the sale was that, as a NATO member, Hungary would have required the Russian manufacturer’s approval to complete the transaction.
At the time of acquisition, the aircraft were credited at around USD 800 million toward Russia’s state debt, roughly HUF 70–80 billion based on the exchange rates of the era.
Investigation underway
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Bács-Kiskun County Police Headquarters is investigating the incident. So far, there’s been no official explanation as to how the breach went undetected for so long.
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