PHOTOS, VIDEO: Hungary welcomes first KC-390 military transport aircraft

The first Hungarian KC-390 military transport aircraft has arrived in Hungary, announced Zsolt Kutnyánszky, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence responsible for Defence Policy, Force Development and Defence Industry, in Kecskemét on 12 April.

The new KC-390 military aircraft. Photo: honvedelem.hu

At a press conference held at the Kecskemét airbase, the politician said that the Hungarian Defence Forces are going through a period of transformation and technical renewal, the Hungarian Defence Forces reported on their website. He added that thanks to the Force Development Programme, the Defence Forces are equipped with the most modern equipment.

Hungary to acquire two KC-390 aircraft

The Minister of State stressed that air policing and air defence are of paramount importance, which is why the modernisation of the air force is a top priority in the development period. He said that this year, the Hungarian Defence Forces will acquire two Embraer KC-390 aircraft, which are scheduled to arrive in Hungary at the end of the year or next year, and one of them is currently in Kecskemét for three weeks, in the final phase of the testing period.

Photo: honvedelem.hu

Zsolt Kutnyánszky drew attention to the need for well-trained soldiers in addition to the equipment purchased. The Hungarian Defence Forces is proud of its soldiers, “the pilots of the air force are among the best”, he stressed. The State Secretary also said that the Hungarian government is rewarding the pilots of the Hungarian Air Force and the responsible work of air traffic control specialists with a significant allowance increase.

“It’s good to be a soldier now”

Photo: honvedelem.hu

The most experienced pilots can receive a monthly gross allowance of around HUF 2.5-3 million (EUR 6,350-7,620), said Zsolt Kutnyánszky. He added that this is a good opportunity to join the Hungarian Defence Forces, and said that “it is good to be a soldier now”. He stressed that he was confident that the incoming military equipment and the new combat procedures would make the armed forces even more attractive to young people.

Zsolt Kutnyánszky said that the new KC-390 transport aircraft can accommodate 80 equipped soldiers, as well as beds for intensive care patients. The aircraft can carry up to 26 tonnes of payload, parachute it to its destination, and it can also refuel in the air, the State Secretary said.

He added that the plane is 35 metres long, can fly at a speed of 800 kilometres per hour, and its cruising altitude can reach 8000 metres.

KC-390 undergoes testing, will return to Brazil

“The aircraft will undergo ground and flight tests as a final stage in the production process. After the installation and testing of NATO communication equipment, the aircraft will return to Brazil. Its official handover, including its entry into the Hungarian register, is expected in the second half of the year,” the Hungarian Defence Forces shared on their Facebook page.

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