Hungarian Air Force

Key facts

Official Name Hungarian Air Force
Local Name Magyar Lรฉgierล‘
Country๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ Hungary
World rank#84
Active aircrafts69 as of 2025
Aircrafts on order23
Roundel

Roundel of Hungary air force

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
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 31
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช Sweden 14
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Ex-USSR 13
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany 10
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Czech Republic 8
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ Europe 2
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Brazil 1

Evolution of Hungarian Air Force fleet

Aircrafts by type in 2025

Aircraft type Active
Helicopter Helicopter 44
Combat Combat 14
Training Training 8
Transport Transport 3

Full inventory in 2025

Hungarian Air Force

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active ๐šซ YoY Ordered
CombatCombat Gripen C ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช 1996 12
0
4
CombatCombat Gripen D ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช 1996 2
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter H145 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท 2002 19
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter H225M ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท 2005 10
+8
6
HelicopterHelicopter Mi-24 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ 1972 8
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Mi-8/17 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ 1967 5
-2
0
HelicopterHelicopter H125M/AS350 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท 1990 2
0
0
TransportTransport A319 ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ 1995 2
0
0
TransportTransport C/KC-390 ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท 2019 1
+1
1
TrainingTraining Zlin 242 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ 1970 6
0
0
TrainingTraining Zlin 143 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ 1972 2
0
0
TrainingTraining L-39NG ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ 1972 0
0
12
Various public data, including Wikipedia, Flightglobal.com, SIPRI Arms Transfer and official government websites.