Spectacular International Helicopter Combat Exercise Begins in Pápa

Hungary Today 2024.09.30.

An international helicopter combat training exercise will start in Hungary with the participation of five countries and and 13 aircraft, wrote Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky on his Facebook page. The Minister of Defense pointed out that strengthening common EU defense capabilities is one of the priorities of the Hungarian EU Presidency, reports Honvedelem.hu.

The Hungarian Defense Forces will take part in the exercise, which will be held for the fourth time in Hungary by the Multinational Helicopter Training Center (MHTC), with one H145M and one H225M helicopter, the politician noted, adding that

the three-week training will include special combat missions performed by German, Portuguese, Czech and Slovak helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The power of the H145M lies in its speed: it can fly at speeds of nearly 300 km/h, reach altitudes of up to 6,000 meters with ten people on board, and carry external weights and armaments. Photo: Honvedelem.hu

The flights will be mainly in the counties of Veszprém and Somogy, with a special focus on the areas of Pápa (western Hungary) and Siófok (southern shore of Lake Balaton).

Mr Szalay-Bobrovniczky reminded that the combat training of the Hungarian Defense Forces’ helicopter crews is mainly based on the helicopter programs of the European Defense Agency (EDA). Hungary joined the Helicopter Exercises Program in 2012 and the Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course (HTIC) in 2020.

Fact

EDA’s helicopter training concept was approved in November 2009. Its purpose is to provide a framework for member states to develop, standardize and share best practices in order to meet the challenges of flying helicopters in a modern and demanding operational environment. The Helicopter Exercise Program has played a part in increasing the deployable helicopter capability for contingency operations. The HEP focus on environmental and multinational training, increasing interoperability through practical experiences, and standardization.

The Minister of Defense stressed that

the aim of the high quality training is to increase and improve the helicopter capabilities of the EU member states

and to train helicopter combat instructors who will strengthen integration between the armed forces in an international environment.

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Via Honvedelem.hu; Featured image via Honvedelem.hu