Hungarian Defence Forces

Hungarian military receives another 13 Gidran armoured vehicles

Hungarian military receives another 13 Gidran armoured vehicles

The Hungarian armed forces are receiving another 13 Gidran armoured vehicles at its base in Tata, in western Hungary, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the defence minister said in a statement.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the new vehicles manufactured in Turkey will be used by recruits who joined the forces in the wake of a government campaign in February.

The minister said the Gidrans had first arrived at another base, in Kaposvar, in southern Hungary, where they were equipped with radios and other systems in preparation for their deployment.

Hungarian military receives another 13 Gidran armoured vehicles
Hungarian military receives another 13 Gidran armoured vehicles. Photo: honvedelem.hu

There are already 10 Gidrans in Tata, serving a rifle company under NATO’s Forward Land Forces Battle Group, the minister said.

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Lawmakers approve constitutional amendments in Hungary: presidential pardons, troop movements

Hungarian Parliament

In a Tuesday vote, lawmakers approved amendments to the constitution affecting presidential pardons, troop movements, and clearance for European Union credit.

The amendments were approved with a vote of 152 for and 1 against and with no abstentions.

The amendments allow the president to issue pardons without the countersignature of a government member while also prohibiting pardons for crimes against children as defined in the scope of a cardinal act.

They require a cardinal act for the movement and stationing of Hungarian troops abroad and for the stationing of foreign forces in Hungary.

The amendments also require a parliamentary resolution, supported by two-thirds of MPs, to clear any ad hoc government decision on Hungary’s participation in taking out joint European Union credit.

As we wrote today, Hungary’s parliament on Tuesday adopted changes aimed at increasing protection for children against sexual abuse, details HERE.

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Flood wave in Hungary: army also involved in the response – video, photo gallery

Flood wave in Hungary the army is also involved in the response - video, photo gallery

In Hungary, near the western border at Körmend, the river Rába has experienced a flood wave that has significantly exceeded its highest water level ever. The authorities, civilians and even the army have been called in to help.

According to VAOL, due to the sudden rainfall and the influx of water from Austria, the Water Management Directorate had to order protection measures on the section of the Rába in Körmend. As we wrote earlier, experts expected flooding at levels exceeding the highest recorded.

The regional protection committee and the emergency services launched a large-scale recruitment drive to raise the height of the protection barrier by 3000 metres. As a result, 360 people were involved on Sunday and more than 450 on Monday.

The cooperation was exemplary, with professional municipal and volunteer firefighters from Vas county and the surrounding counties, 50 members of the Győr unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the prison service and the NAV directorate general, the Police on Standby, the law enforcement vocational school in Körmend, the forestry, the civil guard, more than 70 employees of the government office, and complemented by civil volunteers from Körmend, successfully completed the three-kilometer dam raising in 24 hours.

It can now be seen that the river’s maximum water level is not as high as predicted, but the alert is still maintained.

Flood wave in Hungary – photo gallery

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Orbán cabinet would amend current legislation for greater military operational flexibility

Hungarian armed forces

The defense minister, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, said in a statement that given the need to manage Hungary’s armed forces with speed and efficiency and the changed security environment involving new kinds of emerging risks, the current legislation would be changed to promote greater operational flexibility.

“It has become necessary to introduce a shorter, simpler, framework regulation that serves the flexible operation of the armed forces,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in the statement released late on Monday, adding that following an amendment to the Fundamental Law, the government will issue a decree which is to enter into force on July 1.

Taking into account the special public service nature of national defence, the new legislation brings to the fore the requirements of the national defence sector and abandons the emphasis on regulations governed by the labour law, leading to a big reduction of red tape and greater flexibility in place of the application of the current rigid rules, he said.

He said the salary system and length of service will be made more flexible, and personnel mobility will be easier, faster, and simpler. Commanders will be given more discretion to determine salary increases and military tasks.

At the same time, the new decree paves the way for stricter requirements regarding behaviour and military discipline, as well as boosting military capability and training, he said. The aim is to foster a new service culture and to respond to the challenges of “the age of danger”, the statement said.

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Hungarian defence minister: All wars are a result of human decisions

Szalay-Bobrovniczky minister hungary defence

All wars start as a result of human decisions, the defence minister said at the inauguration of the Armed Forces’ new multi-mission air defence radars in Veszprém, in western Hungary, on Friday.

“Times are tough, Europe today is preparing for war,” Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

The minister said more and more western European leaders were making remarks about the steps that needed to be taken to continue the war in Ukraine and the amount of ammunition and weapons that needed to be sent. There were also more and more remarks about the possibility of sending soldiers, he added.

He said that at first, there had only been talk of sending helmets to Ukraine, which was followed by artillery systems, ammunition, combat vehicles and fighter jets. Now, he added, they were talking about which NATO or European Union member state would send troops on training missions to Ukraine’s territory.

The minister said Hungary and Europe’s interest lay in putting a stop to this process, and this required strength, both in elections and on the part of the military. This was why, he added, the government had accelerated its military upgrades.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the Hungarian Armed Forces and its air defence capabilities would be given a boost “which was tried and tested” in combat conditions in Israel.

These multifunctional 3D radar systems, together with Norway’s NASAMS air defence systems and the four additional Gripen fighter jets purchased recently by Hungary and other equipment, “will make up the shield that guarantees the security of the Hungarian people”, the minister said.

Pietro Mazzei, CEO of Rheinmetall Canada, praised the partnership between the defence industry and the Hungarian government.

He said Rheinmetall had been able to establish an assembly, integration and testing base in Hungary that had resulted in the equipment that has been delivered.

Mazzei thanked the Armed Forces for not only devoting time to learning the technology, but also integrating it into their everyday operations.

According to press material distributed at the event, the ELM-2084 multifunctional radar is capable of supporting airspace monitoring and missile interception or artillery air defence operations.

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Is the Hungarian army purchasing new, Swedish fighter jets?

Hungarian army

It seems that the Hungarian army is about to upgrade its fighter jet fleet. Several sources indicate that they are planning to buy the new Swedish versions of the aircraft that are already in service, which the Hungarian Defence Forces haven’t confirmed yet.

Although it is very likely that the purchase will take place in the future, as it would be logical to develop the air force based on already existing technology, it is not yet known exactly when this may happen.

Hungarian army
Photo: depositphotos.com

How is the new aircraft different from the older ones in the Hungarian army?

According to Portfolio, the Hungarian Defense Forces plans to acquire 12 of the most modern E variants of the fighter jet family, in addition to the 14 Jas-39 Gripen C fighter planes currently in operation and four more that are to be delivered in the next two years.

The biggest innovation of the new Gripen is its size, as the new Swedish jets are larger than their previous version, which the Hungarian army already has. Although it is not yet considered a 5th-generation weapon, it is similar to them in the way they can carry weapons not only attached under their fuselage and wings but also hidden in the fuselage.

Thus, the fighter’s radar image is reduced and its stealth capability is improved. Therefore, in its innovations, they resemble the American F-35 Lightning II, so compared to the American ones, they are usually called 4.5-generation. Their fuel capacity has increased by 40% as well, which makes them capable of flying permanently above the speed of sound.

Electrical parameters and weaponry

In addition to the new design, they are equipped with a new Swedish radar, so they also have better stealth. It is also more suitable for aerial and terrestrial target search, which is ensured by an infrared target finder. They are capable of transporting the increasingly common small-diameter “smart bombs” too, whose wings open after release, so they can glide hundreds of kilometres in the air by themselves.

The new Swedish planes can be equipped with a beyond-visual-range missile called Meteor, which is one of the most advanced weapons of its kind in the world. Its speciality lies in the fact that it deliberately “conserves” fuel after launch in order to remain manoeuvrable near the designated target.

Although The National Defense Forces have not yet confirmed the news about the purchase, as we reported earlier, the Hungarian army has recently replaced its Mi-17 helicopters with modern Airbus H145M aircraft as well, which is promised to enhance the Armed Forces’ search and rescue capabilities.

In addition to the procurement of the H145s, Hungary took delivery of new multi-purpose Airbus H225M helicopters. Defence Minister, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky also said that helicopter pilots and crewmembers have had to acquire new skills to effectively carry out rescue operations using the latest technology.

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Hungary takes delivery of more Leopard tanks

Leopard tanks

Hungary has taken delivery of two new Leopard 2A7HU tanks that will be added to the fleet put in service at the army base in Tata, in northern Hungary, the defence ministry said on Monday.

The ministry cited Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky in a statement as saying that with the new tanks added, the army now has 13 of the armoured vehicles developed for Hungary.

With the arrival of the so-called Leopard 2A7 Driver Training Tank, the production training of tank officers and non-commissioned officers who have been successfully trained in Germany in recent years can now continue in Tata. This professional training course, which will last several months, will ensure that the personnel have the professional skills to use the new equipment, the Defence Minister said.

Leopard tanks
Photo: Defence ministry, Hungary

The number of tanks developed according to Hungarian requirements at the 11th Tank Battalion of the Vitéz Tarczay Ervin has thus increased to thirteen.

Hungary has procured altogether 44 “top-notch-technology” Leopard tanks to be delivered by 2028, the minister said.

The armoured body of the vehicle is 7.7 metres long, and with the gun forward, the length of the tank is 10.97 metres. The width without additional armour is 3.76 metres and the height is 3.03 metres. Its firepower is provided by an L55A1 type Rheinmetall tank gun with a length of L55 gauge and a 120 millimetre gauge, allowing accurate firing from a range of up to 5,000 metres.

The tank is also equipped with a 7.62 millimetre parallel-mounted machine gun, a 12.7 millimetre remotely operated machine gun and 16 76 millimetre smoke grenade launchers capable of firing fragmentation grenades.

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  • Two more Airbus H225M helicopters added to Hungarian fleet, details HERE

Defence minister: possibility of any intervention could only lead to a protraction of the war

Daily News Hungary Logo Új

Hungary does not support either the deployment of European troops to the war in Ukraine or European mandatory conscription, the defence minister said in Brussels on Tuesday.

In a statement sent to MTI after a meeting with his European Union counterparts, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that in the final stretch of the European parliamentary election campaign, certain member states were putting forward “risky proposals that could easily lead to an aggravation of the war”.

He said member states were increasingly coming forward with the “chilling idea” of sending soldiers from European member states to Ukraine. Certain politicians, he added, were already talking about mandatory conscription at the European level. He said this would primarily concern the youth of the member states closest to Ukraine, such as Hungarians, adding that this was unacceptable to Hungary.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the main topic of Tuesday’s meeting was the EU’s military support for Ukraine. He said the majority of member states wanted to even intensify the use of military equipment, and some were increasingly open about the possibility of even sending troops to Ukraine as part of the bloc’s training mission.

“The proposal that EU member states should shoot down Russian missiles above Ukraine is also shocking,” the minister said, warning that raising this possibility would lead straight to a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member states.

He said such proposals failed to take into consideration that sending weapons and troops and the possibility of any intervention could only lead to a protraction of the war. Only a ceasefire and peace talks could end the conflict, he added. Hungary, he said, refused to compromise on its stance that this was the only way to bring an end to the fighting.

The defence minister said the Hungarian government refused to back any steps that would lead to an escalation or prolongation of the war, endanger the security of Hungarians or harm Hungarian interests.

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  • Hungary welcomes first KC-390 military transport aircraft – PHOTOS, VIDEO
  • Hungarian Minister of Defence: Two more Airbus H225M helicopters added to Hungarian fleet, details HERE

Hungarian National Defence Day held in Washington

national defence day washington

Hungary supports all international initiatives aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine, Szabolcs Takács, Hungary’s Ambassador to the United States, told a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, marking National Defence Day.

In his address to officials and diplomats, Takács pointed out the need for peace and a ceasefire in the interests of Ukraine and its people, and called for urgent peace talks.

The ambassador said it was especially important that NATO remain a defence alliance focused on deterrence, which meant that it had to stay out of the conflict in Ukraine. He said Hungary was doing its part in upholding Euro-Atlantic security, noting that it was now spending 2.43 percent of its GDP on defence, and had tripled its defence budget in less than a decade.

Takács hailed the “success story” of NATO’s first 75 years and noted that 2024 also marks the 25th anniversary of Hungary’s accession to the alliance. He underscored Hungary’s commitment and expressed its intention to expand military cooperation with the Ohio National Guard.

Tuesday’s ceremony at the Hungarian embassy was attended by Major General John C. Harris, Adjutant General of the Ohio National Guard. Harris told MTI that the strength of the cooperation between the Hungarian Armed Forces and the National Guard stemmed from its continuity over 31 years. He said there were currently several members of the Ohio National Guard taking part in a joint exercise in Hungary.

The ceremony was also attended by Sonata Coulter, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, and Brigadier General Timothy M. Brower, the National Guard Bureau’s Vice Director for Strategy, Policy, Plans and International Affairs.

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National Defence Day in Hungary celebrated today

Today celebrated National Defence Day in Hungary

A shared remembrance “of our past allows us to recommit ourselves to continuing the thousand-year journey in defense of the Hungarian nation”, the defence minister said marking National Defence Day on Tuesday.

“Looking into the past, we see huge military achievements, such as the thousand-year-old state of St. Stephen, whose military heroes made surviving through victories and defeats possible…” Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said at the ceremony in Buda Castle.

“And then there’s the Hungarian Armed Forces established at the birth of the modern Hungarian nation, which has been at the service of the nation in times of peace, war, oppression and freedom.”

He said it was up to the government and diplomacy to ensure that the most important decisions in the life of the nation were still made in the nation’s capital.

“But in these times we have to be especially careful that nothing that goes against our fundamental national interests can be forced on us,”

he said, emphasising that defence played an important part in this.

Today celebrated National Defence Day in Hungary
Today celebrated National Defence Day in Hungary. Photo: MTI

Hungary, he said, had reason to be satisfied with its accomplishments in recent years, noting that it was building a high-tech military, and defence spending now exceeded 2 percent of GDP. He stressed the newly-built defense industry plants, the manufacturing of Lynx armored infantry fighting vehicles in Zalaegerszeg, small arms in Kiskunfélegyháza, Airbus helicopters in Gyula, the ammunition plant in Várpalota, and the production of Turkish Gidran armored fighting vehicles in Győr.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the military upgrade was underway, but there was still more to be done, and serious efforts were needed “to prepare for everything we can be presented within such times of war.” He said Hungary had to be capable of responding appropriately to every challenge.

Hungary has observed National Defence Day since May 21, 1992 to commemorate the retaking of Buda Castle on this day in 1849 after a three-week-long siege.

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Hungarian defence minister: We want peace but must be prepared to defend ourselves

hungarian defence minister kristóf szalay-bobrovniczky

Hungary is a member of the European Union and NATO; “we want peace but must also be prepared to defend ourselves”, the defence minister said in an interview with news portal Index on Thursday.

hungarian defence minister kristóf szalay-bobrovniczky
Photo: Facebook/Szalay-Bobrovniczky Kristóf

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that even being a NATO member, only those countries that had an independent, genuinely capable and powerful army could defend themselves.

“If a member state does not have that, then even NATO does not guarantee sufficient protection,” he said. The strength of NATO, he said, came from the contributions of its members, and if this task went unfulfilled, NATO would be nothing more than a few well-decorated generals in Brussels giving commands, with no one to carry them out.

“We are determined to preserve peace from a position of power, also in a military sense,” he said. “This is how the independent defence force and the security provided by NATO complement each other.”

He said Hungary argued against everyone who said sending NATO troops to Ukraine was unavoidable and necessary. For the Hungarian government this would pose a clear problem of escalation, so “we argue against its intention and aim, and we definitely cannot support it”, he added. He said Hungary’s position remained unchanged and it would not send weapons, ammunition or people to the conflict.

Commenting on Hungary’s Chad mission, he said Hungarians and the whole of Europe had a vested interest in ensuring that anyone who wants to set off from Chad should have a reason to stay instead. “If we can contribute to stability and reining in migration, then we are happy and proud to do that,” he added.

He said the development of Hungary’s military industry was extremely important, adding that it went beyond modernising the army, because military sovereignty also required a significant defence industry.

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Hungarian Minister of Defence: Two more Airbus H225M helicopters added to Hungarian fleet

Airbus H225M

Two new Airbus H225M helicopters have been delivered to the Hungarian armed forces from Airbus Helicopters in France, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the defence minister said on Monday.

The craft arrived at MH József Kiss 86th Helicopter Brigade airbase in Szolnok on Monday afternoon, a ministry statement said.

The parachute and airborne capabilities of the armed forces will be further enhanced thanks to the craft’s high-tech equipment, the minister said.

There are now eight Airbus H225M helicopters in Hungary, half the country’s entire H225M fleet.

The first helicopters were delivered in July 2023, and related equipment has been arriving continuously ever since.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted the recent purchase of four new Gripen fighter jets and a new SAAB centre of excellence using augmented reality technology. Also, pilots were given a big wage increase at the start of the year, he noted.

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Defence Minister: Drawing NATO into conflict would lead to world war

The conference marked the 75th anniversary of NATO's founding and the 25th anniversary of Hungary's membership in the alliance.

Those who want to draw NATO into the conflict in Ukraine “want to start a world war,” defence minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Tuesday at an international conference organised by the Hungarian Atlantic Council. The conference marked the 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding and the 25th anniversary of Hungary’s membership in the alliance.

Given Hungary’s quarter century as a member of the alliance, “Hungary has an opinion and has the right to one, too, and our most important priority is peace”, he said in his speech at the event entitled European security: the future of Atlanticism and European defense autonomy.

Hungary, he said, was an active and committed member of NATO and was going all out to develop its armed forces, “which is why it has tripled its defense budget in a decade and raised it to 2 percent of GDP”.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that without strong national and sovereign armed forces, “NATO has no sense”, so it was crucial that all countries develop their armed forces.

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Hungarian defence minister: Most important thing is peace

szalay-bobrovniczky kristóf hungarian defence minister

Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told the Budapest Security Dialogue conference on Friday that Europe “is strangely consumed by war fever”, even though “the most important thing is peace.”

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said at the second day of the conference held together with a defence industry expo in Budapest: “Everyone is talking about the war, yet peace is our greatest treasure.”

The conference was highlighting the importance of European defence capabilities, the minister said, adding that central Europe and the Western Balkans “must raise their voices in that very important question.”

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Szaly-Bobrovniczky said the conflict was constantly “carrying the threat of escalation”. The war, he said, was at a critical point: “the West has decided that the conflict should be globalised, and it has now reached all corners of the world”. The Russian aggressor’s army, meanwhile, has been boosted so that “we don’t know who could stop it”, the Hungarian defence minister said.

The only solution would be an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, he added.

The Hungarian defence minister said the conflict in Israel should be “watched carefully and handled responsively”, as it also threatens world trade.

Further, a lack of security, uncertainty and war are also at the root of terrorism and migration, he said.

Hungary can’t afford not to be strong, he said. While the country is a member of NATO, which is “the ultimate security guarantee”, it cannot rely exclusively on external help, he said. Hence the extremely robust military development plan, he added.

Meanwhile, Europe must do more for its own safety, he said. The EU’s enlargement would be the best way of boosting security at the Western Balkans, he added.

Slovak Defence minister Robert Kalinak agreed that European integration was key to peace and stability, and lamented that Western Balkans integration was lagging behind.

The EU promised integration to Western Balkans countries in 2003, but Croatia was the only one to become a member so far, he added, and welcomed that the topic was returning to the EU’s agenda.

Kalinak also said Hungarian-Slovak cooperation was the best yet, “and the key to that success is to concentrate only on topics we agree on.”

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Hungary, UAE sign military, defence industry cooperation deal

uae

The defence ministry said in a statement on Monday that Hungary and the United Arab Emirates have signed a military and defence industry cooperation agreement.

The statement quoted Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky as saying after talks with UAE counterpart Mohammad Fadhel Al Mazrouei that the agreement’s implementation would pave the way for official military coordination between the two countries.

He said learning about the defence capabilities of the other country and identifying overlaps in research, development and innovation were “important opportunities”.

“In times of war, Hungary is making every effort towards securing the peace. But as the international community is pushing conflicts further and further towards conflict escalation, the government’s priority task is to boost the country’s defence capabilities,” the minister said, adding that the new pact would contribute to a modern Hungarian military capable of guaranteeing the country’s security and defence industry, which in turn would help to stimulate the economy.

UAE ministry of defence

Ties to the UAE could complement Hungary’s military reform now underway, “whether in the form of military research and innovation or manufacturing military equipment,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

The minister also said Hungary, a European Union and NATO member, needed to develop cooperation with countries in the Middle East and north Africa in areas ranging from the fight against terrorism to border protection.

Meanwhile, Szalay-Bobrovniczky highlighted the UAE’s “important role” in fighting international terrorism and preserving stability in its region. Ensuring security of trade in the Red Sea and easing the tension in the Middle East “is equally in the interest of Europe and the Gulf States”, he added.

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Fatal air accident in Hungary: small plane crashes – UPDATE: both passengers died

hungarian defence forces air accident

A fatal air accident happened between Martonvásár and Ráckeresztúr in Hungary. According to the police, a small plane crashed into an agricultural field. UPDATE: It later emerged that a sports plane had crashed, and both men died on the spot.

A fatal air accident occurred near Ráckeresztúr. The police have started the investigation, the Fejér County Police Headquarters announced on police.hu on Saturday noon.

Fatal air accident: a small plane crashed

According to the statement, a small plane crashed into an agricultural area between Martonvásár and Ráckeresztúr at around 10 AM, Index reports.

According to the National Ambulance Service, one person has died. Later, it was reported that both passengers have lost their lives. Ambulances were sent to the scene and an ambulance helicopter also arrived.

As the Hungarian Defence Forces posted on Facebook, “the Air Search and Rescue Service of the Hungarian Defence Forces also took part in the search for a small plane missing near Martonvásár”:

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

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.

kc-390 military transport aircraft
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.

kc-390 military transport aircraft
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”

kc-390 military transport aircraft
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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First Embraer C-390 aircraft of Hungarian military to arrive tomorrow

Embraer C-390 kc-390 at Paris Air Show 2019

Hungary’s first Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft will arrive in the country on Friday for three weeks of testing at the Kecskemét air base, the defence minister has said.

After its first flight on 8 February, the C-390 manufactured in Brazil for Hungary is now in the final phase of its testing schedule, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told MTI on Thursday, adding that the aircraft will be brought to Kecskemét for ground and air testing.

Hungary’s first Embraer C-390 Millennium to arrive tomorrow

The final testing stage involves the installation and assessment of NATO communications devices, after which the aircraft will return to Brazil for the finishing works, the minister said.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that the aircraft was not yet flying under Hungarian registration, with its official inauguration set for the autumn.

The Hungarian Armed Forces has ordered two Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft this year to replace its An-26s.

With a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes, the new C-390 will be suitable for air refuelling and transporting beds for patients in need of intensive care and those injured.

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