New Gripen fighter jets join Hungary’s air force – video, photos

Two new JAS-39 C Gripen fighter jets arrived at the Hungarian Air Force’s Vitéz Dezső Szentgyörgyi 101st Air Brigade base in Kecskemét on Wednesday, bringing the fleet to 16 fighter aircraft.

At a ceremony marking the delivery and the 20th anniversary of the Gripen’s service in Hungary, Colonel General Gábor Böröndi, commander of the Hungarian Armed Forces, described the jets as “more than just aircraft or military hardware”.

“For Hungarian troops, they are a guarantee of sovereignty, proof of commitment to being a NATO ally and the embodiment of Hungarian military excellence,” he said. He said the day was not just about the arrival of two new jets but also a milestone in a long-standing process.

He noted that he first Gripens landed in Kecskemét in March 2006, entered service two years later, and have been ensuring the armed defence of Hungary’s and NATO’s airspace since 2010.

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