Hungary has begun testing the Brazilian-made Embraer KC-390 military cargo plane at the Hungarian air base near the city of Kecskemét, with plans to introduce the planes into the country’s air force later this year.
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that the testing schedule, which started after the aircraft’s first takeoff on Feb. 8, 2024, has entered its final phase, with ground and flight tests being carried out in the final stages of the production process.
“The current phase of testing will include the installation and validation of special NATO communication equipment, and (the planes) will return to Brazil to complete the work,” said Szalay-Bobrovniczky in a statement.
The defense minister stated that the aircraft are not yet flying under Hungarian registration, but their official handover and registration with Hungary is expected in the autumn.
He noted that mobility is a fundamental need of all armed forces, which increasingly requires the development of air transport. This not only has to do with the speed of logistical support, but also the ever-increasing distances required to transport personnel and supplies, given Hungary’s active role in remote missions.
The Hungarian Defense Forces will acquire two Embraer KC-390 transport aircraft by the end of 2024, following the retirement of the An-26 military transport aircraft.
The Hungarian version of the aircraft, which will be capable of carrying payloads of up to 26 tons, will carry out aerial refueling and can be configured as a hospital for intensive care patients.
