The Hungarian Air Force has reached another important milestone in its modernization program. On Friday, the second Embraer KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft arrived at the base of the 101st Airborne Brigade ‘vitéz Szentgyörgyi Dezső’ in Kecskemét, central Hungary.
Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized at the handover ceremony that the last few years had been significantly marked by the expansion of the air force. The aircraft with the Tail Number 611 follows the first aircraft, which had already landed in Hungary last fall as part of the Defense Forces’ development program.
“The two aircraft will perform a very important service at the Kecskemét air base as ‘siblings’,” said the minister. He emphasized that
this modern transport capacity, which the Hungarian Air Force had previously lacked, is now available.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky referred to the dynamics of the fleet expansion. A few days earlier, three more L-39 Skyfox tactical training aircraft arrived in Kecskemét. At the same time, the Hungarian helicopter fleet is now complete, as the H145 and H225 models are in service and the supporting infrastructure is nearing completion, he added.
KC-390 Millennium. Photo: Honvedelem.hu
The minister also recalled the recently concluded contract, that not only ensures the maintenance of the existing Gripen fleet, but also provides for the procurement of four additional Gripen tactical fighter aircraft, that are expected to arrive in the next two years.
These capabilities are necessary because the Hungarian Air Force performs important tasks both in national defense and at the international level,
such as the ongoing, highly responsible missions within the framework of Baltic Air Policing mission,
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized.
Marcio Monteiro, Marketing Director of Embraer Defense & Security, praised Hungary’s decision to purchase the KC-390 as the second European country after Brazil and Portugal as a symbol of the country’s pioneering spirit.
He emphasized that the Hungarian government was the first operator of this aircraft type to have the KC-390 upgraded with an intensive care unit (ICU). This ability to perform MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) tasks with patients requiring intensive care underscores the Hungarian Defense Forces’ commitment to humanitarian missions and disaster response.
KC-390 Millennium. Photo: Honvedelem.hu
Marcio Monteiro emphasized that Hungary had been a trendsetter. It has since been followed by countries such as the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and most recently Sweden. Slovakia and Lithuania have also expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft.
The KC-390 will significantly strengthen Hungary’s operational capabilities and its role within NATO and in the defense of Europe.
Marcio Monteiro also mentioned Embraer’s historical connection to Hungary. One of the company’s most successful products, the Tucano training aircraft (and its further development, the A-29 Super Tucano), was largely designed by Hungarian engineer József Kovács.
József Kovács, who emigrated to Brazil at a young age and designed over 50 aircraft, is still honored by the company as “the best aircraft designer of all time.”
The procurement of the two KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft was initiated in November 2020 as a replacement for the decommissioned AN-26 fleet.
A key selection criterion was the aircraft’s multifunctionality.
The Hungarian KC-390 can:
- perform fast and efficient air transport tasks,
- be used for air-to-air refueling,
- support airborne operations (dropping paratroopers),
- precisely drop large loads by parachute,
- perform MEDEVAC tasks (transport of patients requiring intensive care).
The aircraft weighs 51 tons when empty, has a wingspan of 35 meters, a length of 35 meters, and a height of 12 meters. Its flight altitude is 11,000 meters, its range can exceed 8,000 kilometers, and its cruising speed can reach up to 988 kilometers per hour.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
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