The first fleet of Hungary’s modern H145M light utility helicopters has already logged 6,000 flight hours, the country’s Defense Minister Tibor Benkő revealed on Tuesday, following the arrival of the last batch of a total 20 aircraft.
Gáspár Maróth, government commissioner responsible for defense developments, explained during a speech from the 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base that conflicts have not developed in years, but in months or even hours, and confirmed that the helicopter fleet would be ready for service should they be called upon.
He stressed that they are not only building a force but also a military industry in parallel, revealing that Airbus’ latest factory unit will be built in Gyula and that they want to make Hungary the regional center for the maintenance and renovation of Airbus helicopters.
Matthieu Louvot, Executive Vice President of Airbus and a member of the Board of Directors of Airbus Helicopters, emphasized that the H145M is the most modern, versatile combat helicopter in the world and the Hungarian Armed Forces already owns these aircraft. He highlighted that they were able to complete this project with unprecedented speed.
He added that from 2023 to 2025, 16 H225 helicopters will be delivered to Hungary which will have the most modern helicopter fleet in Central and Eastern Europe. The production plant in Gyula will meet the most modern industrial requirements, with 225 employees, and the project will start this year.
Meanwhile, Airbus is not only building its newest assembly facility in Hungary, but the country was also selected to host the consortium’s regional maintenance and upgrade center.
