Next steps modernisation Hungarian Air Force
Late 2016, the Hungarian Minister of Defence, István Simicskó, announced the kickoff of a large modernisation programme of the Magyar Légierö (Hungarian Air Force) under the name “Zrinyi 2026”.
Since that moment, a number of changes have been implemented and plans were and are still made. On the air transport side, two Airbus A319-112 and two Falcon 7X executive jets were delivered in the period 2018 to 2019. In November 2020, a contract for two multi-mission KC-390s with air-to-air refuelling (AAR) capability was signed. See Scramble News 17 November 2020.
In terms of helicopters, Hungary has ordered twenty Airbus H145M twin-engine light utility helicopters. Sixteen have been delivered in the period 2019 to 2020. Eight Mil Mi-24P and Mi-24V attack helicopters have been overhauled in Russia and were re-delivered in 2018 and 2019. In December 2018, Scramble reported on the contract for sixteen Airbus H225M long range tactical transport and utility helicopters.
With regards to training aircraft, the air force took delivery of six Zlin 242 and two Zlin 143s. The Zlin trainers were delivered in two batches; four were delivered in the period 2017 and 2018 and another four followed in December 2020.
For advanced training, local news reports mention that the air force has now showed interest in the Embraer EMB314 Super Tucano. No numbers were mentioned, but they must have received a proposal from Embraer. Hungary's interest in an advanced training aircraft also resulted in the visit of the Czech company Aero Vodochody with their L-39NG at Kecskemét in November 2020. The advanced jet training has been outsourced since 2009, when the air force stopped operating the L-39ZO. As soon as more information is known on the type and number of advanced trainers, we will report on this.
In 2017, the Commander of MH 86. Szolnok Helicopter Base, General József Koller, confirmed that the air force planned to restore military pilot training at Szolnok for future pilots of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
To summarize all above we give you an overview of the aircraft delivered and on order:
Please visit the Scramble Air Order of Battle for the Hungarian Air Force.
Photo by defesanet.com.br