First flight of first KC-390 for the Hungarian Air Force scheduled for 2023

Embraer continues to advance in the production of the first KC-390 Millennium aircraft for the Hungarian Defence Forces. In November 2020, the Hungarian government signed a contract with Embraer for the acquisition of two KC-390 aircra. Currently, Embraer is assembling the semi-wings on the aircraft's fuselage, with both structures already painted in the customer's colors.

"The production of the aircraft is significantly ahead of what was stipulated in the contract compared to the original plans, progressing better than planned", said Colonel László Nagy, Head of Air Force Systems Development Branch.

Flight tests of the first aircraft will begin in the second half of 2023, with delivery taking place in the second quarter of 2024. The second unit of the KC-390 for Hungary is scheduled to begin production in December 2022, thus maintaining the original schedule, and is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024.

The KC-390 for the Hungarian Defence Forces will be the first in the world with the Intensive Care Unit in its configuration, for performing humanitarian missions. Furthermore, the KC-390 probe and drogue refueling system means the aircraft can refuel the Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen as well as other aircraft that use the same technology.

embraer 

Hungary, augmented by the United Kingdom and Spain, will lead 50th NATO Baltic Air Policing detachment

Hungary is scheduled to be the lead nation for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission at Šiauliai, Lithuania, together with augmenting nations Spain and the United Kingdom.
From May 2019 Hungary will take over the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission deploying their JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft to Šiauliai, Lithuania. This is the second time since 2015 that Hungary will deploy their Gripen fighters and an air force detachment to lead the mission out of Lithuania.
The Spanish Air Force will also fly their F-18 fighters out of Šiauliai Air Base; their detachment augments the mission under NATO’s Assurance Measures. This is the sixth time Spain has deployed under the mission – twice as lead nation in 2006 and 2016 and three times as augmenting nation at Ämari in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
The Royal Air Force is the second augmenting nation and will fly their Eurofighter aircraft out of Ämari Air Base in Estonia. The United Kingdom was the third nation to lead the mission in 2004 and have since augmented once in Siauliai in 2014 and twice in Ämari in 2015 and 2016.
nato

Hungarian Air Force To Issue Helo Tender to replace MI-17

Hungary is planning to issue a tender for a fleet of new helicopters later this year for its air arm.
The country has a national requirement for a fleet of light and medium helicopters not only for the air force but also for use by paramilitary organizations for missions such as search and rescue.
The air force has a need to replace the current fleet of 10 Russian-built Mil Mi-17s and Mi-8s, which the air arm is struggling to maintain and get parts for. The shortfall was partially alleviated with the recent arrival of a trio of secondhand Mi-8s from Russia.
Back in December 2011, the U.S. offered to donate 32 former Marine Corps UH-1N Hueys for use by the Hungarian armed forces, but when officials studied the deal and the likely maintenance cost of the aircraft, they reported that the country would be better off buying new, modern helicopters instead.
Last year the air force also unexpectedly retired its fleet of Mi-24 attack helicopters, now in storage.
The air force is also looking at options to replace its pair of aging Antonov An-26 transport aircraft, but the helicopters will be the first fleet to be renewed.
The country also has great ambitions for its small fleet of Saab JAS 39 Gripens, which are leased from Sweden.
Hungary has 12 single-seat JAS 39s and a pair of twin-seat JAS 39Ds used for training that entered service in 2006. Currently the air force mainly uses the aircraft for quick-reaction alert, defending the airspace of Hungary but also Northern Slovenia. They also have a limited ground-attack role with the AGM-65 Maverick.
aviationweek

Hungarian air-force may police Austrian skies

Expected budget restrictions mean that Austria may be reliant on Hungary air-force to fly missions in Austria's air space.
If a jet is hijacked over Austria, the air-force is scrambled -- but from Hungary, since Austria lacks the capabilities.
Austria would be heavily dependent on its nearest EU allies in the event of a military situation, due to the unexpected costs and budget restriction of current capabilities.
In real terms, Austria's latest defense budget will spend 0.5% of the country's GDP.
The move to radically cut defense spending and rely on allies increases the likelihood that Austria will experience what happened in Switzerland earlier in the year, when a hijacked Ethiopian plane was forced to land in Geneva - escorted by French fighters, since Swiss military planes only fly during regular office hours.
thelocal.at

Hungary buys additional Mi-8 helicopters

Hungary has bought three additional Mil Mi-8T 'Hip-C' helicopters to fulfil an interim need.
The helicopters have already been transferred to Hungary's Kecskemet Air Base.
The three Mi-8Ts, said to be in good condition, will be tasked by the MoD with emergency response and search-and-rescue roles.
janes

Hungary takes over Slovenian air policing

Hungary has taken over responsibility for policing Slovenia's airspace, it was announced on 3 January.
Under the arrangement, Hungarian Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft will provide air policing coverage of Slovenian airspace.
Since Slovenia's accession to NATO in 2004, Italy has provided air policing of Slovenian airspace with Italian Air Force aircraft based in Italy. The policing of Slovenian airspace is one of three extant NATO air policing missions.
Hungary's Gripen fighters are deployed with the 59th Tactical Fighter Wing's 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kecskemét Air Base in central Hungary. The entirety of Slovenian airspace will fall within the Gripen's combat radius when operating from Kecskemét.
Hungary first announced it would take over the Slovenian air policing mission under a November 2012 agreement. In July 2013 a subsequent agreement confirmed that the Hungarian air policing role would begin in 2014.
Alongside the Slovenian air policing mission, NATO members took responsibility for the air policing of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, under the Baltic air policing mission, when they joined NATO with Slovenia in 2004. NATO launched another air policing mission in 2009 when Albania joined the alliance. Unlike the Slovenian and Albanian missions, which are conducted on an essentially permanent basis (respectively by Italy and now Hungary; and Italy and Greece jointly), the Baltic mission is conducted on four-month rotations.
NATO nations have also deployed aircraft to Iceland under a NATO mandate since 2008, following the end of regular US aircraft deployments to the country in 2006, although in January 2013 the status of this deployment was changed to a training.
janes

The Hungarian government tender the purchase of three aircraft

On May 31, the Ministry of Defence of Hungary invited tenders for the purchase of three aircraft.
The possibilities are as follows: First, two airliners and one freight with the possibility of adapting the transport of passengers or aircraft passenger and two freight with option to suit the passenger.
The contract also includes all ground facilities necessary for the proper use of aircraft and training services. The duration is five months from August 1 to December 31, 2013 -. The deadline for applications to participate in English or Hungarian, ends on July 1, 2013.
icex

Hungary to Buy New Airlifters, Helicopters

“We must generate the national rotary-wing capability, which means the creation of an economically operated and modern fleet meeting the challenges of the 21st century” – Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said in Budapest on May 22.

defencetalk

Hungary selling away MiG-29s

The Hungay Defence Ministry has again invited a single-round open tender for the sale of 24 decommissioned Mig-29 fighter planes.

bbj.hu

Hungarian Aircraft to Perform Air Policing Over Slovenia, Baltic States

Under the terms of a NATO agreement, the fighter aircraft of the Hungarian Air Force will perform air policing over Slovenia and the Baltic States in the near future, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende announced at an event held in Miskolc on Tuesday, November 13.

defencetalk

Hungary to put 24 MiG-29s up for sale to public

The Defense Ministry has proposed that MNV sell the aircraft in this way after a recent tender for eight of the decommissioned fighters at a minimum total price of HUF 3.5 billion attracted only eight invalid bids. 

Twenty spare engines for the aircraft were sold in the above tender, the newspaper noted. 

The Defense Ministry noted that the proposed public sale of the MiG-29s does not mean that "the Hungarian state or the Defense Ministry would like to get rid of the airplanes at any cost, though this possibility ensures greater room for maneuver in the sale of the aircraft." 

Népszabadság noted that the Russians have the contractual right to approve the purchase of the MiG-29s, which could represent a political impediment to MNV's sale of the jet fighters.
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Hungría modernizará Mi-17 para despliegue en Afganistán/ Hungary Upgrading at Least 2 Mi-17s for Afghan Use

Hungría va a modernizar dos y posiblemente tres helicópteros Mi-17 para su despliegue en Afganistán en 2012 o 2013.
Defense News
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Hungary will upgrade at least two and possibly three Mi-17 helicopters with the aim of deploying them for two years to Afghanistan.
The project is estimated to cost about $120 million from the initial overhaul through a two-year deployment and the postdeployment process, which will include refurbishment. The helicopters would be deployed in 2012 or 2013
Defense News

Hungría venderá sus MiG-29/ Hungarian Air Force selling its MiG-29

La Fuerza Aérea de Hungría va a emitir orden para la venta de su flota de 12 cazas MiG-29 en la primavera de 2011.
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The Hungarian Air Force is getting rid of its fleet of 12 MiG-29 fighters next spring.
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