Hungary’s Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi has warned that the recent wave of bomb threats targeting passenger aircraft across Europe could be part of a coordinated campaign aimed at disrupting air travel and testing security systems. He also explained why Hungarian Gripen fighter jets are scrambled during such incidents and under what circumstances they could use weapons.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the minister pointed to the unusual frequency, geographical spread and timing of the threats. On one recent day, Hungarian authorities ordered three separate alerts within a few hours, while similar incidents were reported in other European countries.
According to Ruszin-Szendi, the pattern raises the possibility of coordinated action. If that is the case, the objective may not necessarily be to cause direct physical damage, but rather to disrupt European aviation, create uncertainty and undermine public confidence, while testing how quickly national and allied security systems respond.
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Why are Hungarian Gripens scrambled?
The minister stressed that the role of the Hungarian Air Force’s JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets goes beyond simply escorting threatened passenger aircraft.
Their tasks include identifying the aircraft, checking its position and monitoring its movements. This can be particularly important if a plane unexpectedly deviates from its declared route, fails to follow air traffic control instructions or behaves in a way that could pose a threat to the population or critical infrastructure.
Ruszin-Szendi also highlighted that the Gripens are armed combat aircraft. Under the appropriate legal and military conditions, and with the necessary authorisation, they can use force against an immediate threat from the air.
However, he emphasised that a bomb threat or an unexpected change of flight path alone does not justify the use of weapons. Any such decision is subject to strict legal, operational and command requirements.
More details: Hungarian Gripen jets scrambled 3 times over bomb threats to passenger planes
The security lessons of 11 September
To explain why such capabilities are necessary, the minister referred to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, when hijacked passenger aircraft were used as weapons. The attacks demonstrated how a civilian plane could become a serious threat to human lives and national security.
Ruszin-Szendi said Hungary maintains continuous air defence readiness as part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. Hungarian Gripen pilots and the military personnel supporting them remain on standby around the clock to protect the country’s airspace.
He described the fighter jets’ take-offs not as a show of force, but as evidence of a defence capability that operates continuously and can respond when an aircraft presents a potential threat.
The minister also stressed the importance of rapid decision-making, preparedness and cooperation with NATO allies in responding to both conventional military threats and more difficult-to-identify hybrid challenges.
