Hungarian Air Force
Key facts
Official Name | Hungarian Air Force |
Local Name | Magyar Lรฉgierล |
Country | ๐ญ๐บ Hungary |
World rank | #84 |
Active aircrafts | 69 as of 2025 |
Aircrafts on order | 23 |
Roundel |
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Overview
The Hungarian Air Force is a compact and entirely professional force structured for the primary purpose of defensive operations and contributing to NATO collective security. It operates under a unified joint-force command, the Hungarian Defence Forces Combat Command, which absorbed the previous independent air force and army commands. This integrated structure is designed to streamline operations across different service branches. The core of its air power is centered at a few key air bases, such as Kecskemรฉt and Szolnok, hosting its tactical fighter, transport, and helicopter units.
The strategic doctrine of the Hungarian Air Force is shaped by its NATO membership and a national defense policy focused on the territorial integrity of Hungary. Its operational capabilities are centered on its single squadron of JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighters. These aircraft are undergoing a significant capability upgrade to the MS20 Block 2 standard, which includes a new PS-05/A Mk4 radar, enhanced Link 16 functionality, and secure voice communications. This modernization allows for the integration of modern weapon systems, including the Meteor BVRAAM, IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile, and GBU-49 laser-guided bombs, extending the fleet's operational viability into the 2030s.
Modernization, under the "Zrรญnyi 2026" program, is systematically replacing remaining Soviet-era equipment with Western systems to improve NATO interoperability. The rotary-wing fleet has been recapitalized through the acquisition of H145M light utility/attack and H225M transport helicopters, replacing older Mi-series models. The fixed-wing transport capability, lost with the retirement of the An-26, is being reconstituted with the procurement of two Embraer KC-390 tactical transport aircraft.
A key strategic investment is the re-establishment of a sovereign pilot training capability. The acquisition of twelve L-39NG Skyfox aircraft, with eight for training and four for reconnaissance, aims to end reliance on foreign training programs like the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC). This is complemented by the purchase of Zlin primary trainers and advanced simulation systems. Ground-based air defense is also being fundamentally upgraded, with Soviet 2K12 Kub systems being replaced by the NASAMS 3 missile system, supported by new EL/M-2084 multi-mission radars for airspace surveillance.
Origin countries of aircrafts
Country | Active Aircraft | |
---|---|---|
๐ซ๐ท France | 31 | |
๐ธ๐ช Sweden | 14 | |
๐จ๐ณ Ex-USSR | 13 | |
๐ฉ๐ช Germany | 10 | |
๐จ๐ฟ Czech Republic | 8 | |
๐ช๐บ Europe | 2 | |
๐ง๐ท Brazil | 1 |
Evolution of Hungarian Air Force fleet
Aircrafts by type in 2025
Aircraft type | Active | |
---|---|---|
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44 | |
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14 | |
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8 | |
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3 |
Full inventory in 2025
Hungarian Air Force
Aircraft Type | Model | Origin Country | Model Year | Active | ๐ซ YoY | Ordered | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Gripen C | ๐ธ๐ช | 1996 | 12 | 0 |
4 |
|
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Gripen D | ๐ธ๐ช | 1996 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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H145 | ๐ซ๐ท | 2002 | 19 | 0 |
0 |
|
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H225M | ๐ฉ๐ช ๐ซ๐ท | 2005 | 10 | +8 |
6 |
|
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Mi-24 | ๐จ๐ณ | 1972 | 8 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Mi-8/17 | ๐จ๐ณ | 1967 | 5 | -2 |
0 |
|
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H125M/AS350 | ๐ซ๐ท | 1990 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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A319 | ๐ช๐บ | 1995 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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C/KC-390 | ๐ง๐ท | 2019 | 1 | +1 |
1 |
|
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Zlin 242 | ๐จ๐ฟ | 1970 | 6 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Zlin 143 | ๐จ๐ฟ | 1972 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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L-39NG | ๐จ๐ฟ | 1972 | 0 | 0 |
12 |