Hungary has the most modern helicopter fleet in Europe, stressed Dennis Bernitz, Head of Western Europe Sales at Airbus Helicopter, at the handover ceremony.Continue reading
Hungary is supporting Albania in its fight against the forest fires that have been raging for weeks. The Hungarian Defense Forces are sending helicopters to assist the Albanian authorities, Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced on Wednesday.
Two Airbus H225 helicopters from the Hungarian Defense Forces’ 86th Helicopter Squadron, along with their crews, service personnel, Bambi Bucket balloons used for firefighting, and all necessary equipment departed from Szolnok for Albania. The aircraft will fly to the Kuçovë air base and from there will support the country’s authorities in extinguishing forest fires in Llogara National Park in the Vlora region.
The Albanian authorities called for help through the European Union Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) to help control the fires that have been ravaging the country for weeks. The Hungarian Defense Forces received a request from the National Directorate General for Disaster Management, reads the Defense Ministry’s statement.
The statement quotes Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, who emphasized that
the Hungarian Defense Forces, with their multi-purpose helicopters and well-trained soldiers, have already proven themselves in several domestic and international aid operations.
Last year, they participated in fighting forest fires in North Macedonia and Vas County, and in the fall of 2024, they helped transport patients by helicopter during the floods in Kisoroszi, Pest County. In addition, they rescued an injured child by helicopter from flood-stricken Jablanica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he recalled.
Two #H225M helicopters of the Hungarian Defence Forces have departed for Albania to assist in fighting wildfires near Llogara National Park. Our troops stand ready to #support international disaster relief whenever called. Hungary delivers—at home and abroad. pic.twitter.com/sHt3Sekzs2
— Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky (@SzBobrovniczky) July 23, 2025
The Minister noted that the Hungarian Defense Forces’ fleet of 16 H225M helicopters was completed in mid-July when the last two aircraft arrived.
The medium-sized, multi-purpose Airbus H225M helicopters play a key role in domestic and international operations, from disaster relief to special operations support.
“The Hungarian Defense Forces are always ready to provide effective assistance both domestically and internationally,” stressed the Defense Minister.
Via MTI, Featured image: honvedelem.hu