Defense Forces to Support EUFOR with our State-of-the-art Helicopter

MTI-Hungary Today 2024.08.07.

The Hungarian Defense Forces will reinforce the air transport tasks of EUFOR with their new Airbus H225M helicopter from October, the Ministry of Defense announced.

As the statement reads, Zsolt Kutnyánszky, State Secretary for Defense Policy, Force Development and Defense Industry, announced at the Butmir camp near Sarajevo that a new Airbus H225M helicopter will replace the Mi-17 helicopter offered to EUFOR for air transport tasks from October.

Fact

Operation Althea, or formally known as EUFOR (European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina), is an international force operating under the authority of the European Council. The military operation was launched on December 2, 2004, nine years after the Bosnian War, with the main task of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following a decision by the Political and Security Committee of the European Union, Hungary offered to lead EUFOR ALTHEA for the first time in January 2024. Major General Dr. László Sticz, Commander of the Military Modernization and Transformation Command at the Hungarian Defense Forces, is leading the European Union peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina for one year.

The State Secretary stressed that the international recognition of Hungarian soldiers is demonstrated by the fact that the EU mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina is being led this year by a Hungarian commander, Major General László Sticz, and the achievements of Hungarian force development are also demonstrated by the new long-range tactical military transport helicopter, considered one of the best in the world.

The service of our dedicated soldiers will soon be supported by an Airbus H225M representing 21st century technology here in Bosnia and Herzegovina,”

said Zsolt Kutnyánszky.

Infographics: Airbus

The new helicopter has already proved its worth in North Macedonia in fighting wildfires and will now be deployed on mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In two months it will be ready for deployment at a military base near Sarajevo.

Speaking to the Hungarian soldiers at the camp, Zsolt Kutnyánszky noted that they are paying special attention to their duty station in the Western Balkans, which is crucial for peace in Europe, and that they are exemplary soldiers of the Hungarian Defense Forces, providing the largest contingent of EUFOR.

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Via MTI, Featured image: Honvedelem.hu