First KC-390 Military Transport Aircraft Arrives at Kecskemét Airbase

The first Hungarian KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft arrived at the Szentgyörgyi Dezső 101st Airborne Brigade of the Hungarian Defense Forces in Kecskemét (central Hungary) on Thursday.

On receiving the military aircraft, Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed that Hungary is a pro-peace country and the government is committed to peace-building and peace-keeping. “To this end, every effort must be made to ensure that the Hungarian Defense Forces have strong, stable and reliable equipment at their disposal. The KC-390 military transport aircraft is such an asset,” he underlined.

✈️ The first Hungarian KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft landed at the Kecskemét Air Base on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the Hungarian Defense Forces. At the event, Defense Minister @SzBobrovniczky emphasized Hungary’s commitment to peace and… pic.twitter.com/8vrz8sFLAm

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Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted:

Hungary is building a new, 21st-century, highly operational force, with the primary goal of modernizing its air defense system.

The minister stressed that the terrible war in our neighboring country two years ago “has made us all more aware of the dangers we face and we have to make sure that our airspace is safe”.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recalled that the country’s air security was also ensured by a new radar and missile system, while the construction of a heavy brigade continued as a NATO commitment and as a step to improve Hungary’s defense. Lynx tanks and Gidran combat vehicles are being used for this purpose, but three Leopard tanks also arrived last week. In addition, in the future the air force fleet will be enriched with four more Gripens.

As for the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft landing at Kecskemét airbase, he stressed that

its qualities and technical characteristics make it “the most suitable for the complex set of tasks that a modern force has to perform”.

João Bosco Costa Junior, President and CEO Embraer Defense & Security, stressed that the KC-390 military transport aircraft will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Hungarian Air Force, enabling Hungary to play an even more prominent role in Europe and NATO.

He added:

this is the first KC-390 military transport aircraft that is equipped with an intensive care unit, essential for carrying out medical missions,

therefore this truly multi-purpose aircraft will be extremely useful for the Hungarian Air Force, enabling it to perform important military and humanitarian missions. The CEO also noted that in addition to Hungary, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic have also “voted in favor” of the aircraft type.

This is not the first landing of the new Hungarian KC-390 military transport aircraft in Kecskemét, as it spent more than two weeks at the base in April, it was equipped and certified with special NATO communication equipment. The aircraft returned to Hungary after the completion of production work in Brazil.

The Hungarian Defense Forces are acquiring two Embraer KC-390 transport aircraft following the withdrawal of the Antonov An-26 military transport aircraft and the increasing military transport needs.

The Hungarian version of the aircraft, capable of carrying payloads of up to 26 tons, will be able to transport aerial refueling and beds for intensive care patients or the injured.

Jenő Kiss, the chief engineer of the battalion, told the public media that what makes the military transport aircraft special is its enormous load capacity, with a maximum take-off weight of 87,000 kilograms. The aircraft can carry a total of 80 soldiers, 63 in the case of an airborne mission and 74 wounded soldiers and 4 soldiers in need of intensive care in the case of an evacuation.

The KC-390 aircraft can carry its cargo up to 2,000 kilometers with a maximum load, or up to 4,000 to 5,000 kilometers at lower loads, but its two auxiliary fuel tanks can extend its range up to 8,000 kilometers, he concluded.

Via MTI; Featured image via Hovédelem/Kormány Gábor