Hungary receives first H145Ms from Airbus

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first two of 20 H145M multi-role battlefield utility helicopters to the Hungarian Defence Forces. 

The delivery took place on November 18, with the aircraft arriving at the MH.86 Szolnok Helikopter Bázis (86th Szolnok Helicopter Base) in the Észak-Alföld (Northern Great Plains) region of Hungary. 

Employed by the Hungarian Air Force, the H145Ms are fitted with Airbus Helicopters' HForce weapon management system, enabling them to be equipped with ballistic/guided air-to-ground and/or air-to-air munitions. This enables the Hungarian military to operate the aircraft in roles such as anti-tank, counter-terrorism and in a basic anti-aircraft role.

Hungary's H145Ms are also equipped with a high-performance camera, a fast-roping system, disaster management kits, an electronic countermeasures system, ballistic protection, a dual cargo hook and a hoist.

Alongside its H145M order, the Hungarian military is also procuring 16 of Airbus Helicopters' H225M multi-role medium-lift tactical transport helicopters. These platforms will also be integrated with HForce, performing missions which vary from troop transport to combat search and rescue and basic light attack.

In a press release, Airbus said: "The H145M is a tried-and-tested light twin-engine helicopter. H145M helicopters are gaining popularity among defence forces due to their excellent price-performance ratio and the short delivery time."