The Hungarian armed forces plan to buy cargo aircraft to replace the ageing An-26 fleet

As part of the Zrínyi 2026 Defense and Military Development Program, the Hungarian Defence Forces plan to purchase military transport aircraft for HUF 75 billion to replace the ageing Russian made An-26 fleet.

Last September, in an interview with magyaridok.hu, Chief of Staff Tibor Benkő said the army planed to buy either refurbished or new cargo aircraft specifically designed for military purposes to replace the ageing An-26 fleet of which the army has four, but only one of them functional.

The new aircraft could be in service as early as the begin of 2019; the chief of staff however, did not say what type of aircraft the army plans to buy.

Later on, the ministry said the plan was to purchase transport planes with rear-loading ramp, specifically designed for transporting heavy equipment.

On the world market several medium-sized models available with a transport capacity of between 10 and 20 tonnes. NATO countries use three models: American made C-130J Super Hercules, Italian made C-27J Spartan, as well as C-295 aircraft produced in Spain.

The Czech and Polish armed forces use C-295 and Slovakia C-27J models.

The Hungarian armed forces obtained two Airbus A319 aircraft in last December that function as troop carries; however, those planes are not suitable for transporting heavy equipment.

Photo: Illustration – MTI

Source: magyaridok.hu – hungarianambiance.com