Air International 2014-02
J.Dorschner - Hungary's Fleet Revolution /Military/
Five new Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk Internationals manufactured in Poland by subsidiary PZL Mielec were accepted into service with Colombian Army Aviation during a ceremony in Tolemaida on February 11, 2013. Two more were contracted by Colombia in April for delivery in October and further orders are expected.
Hungary's 86th Tactical Helicopter Wing currently operates around seven Mi-17s obtained in the late 1980s.
Should it win the Polish helicopter competition, AgustaWestland plans to manufacture the AW149 in Poland at subsidiary PZL-Swidnik, which should lower unit costs and increase prospects for joint training and maintenance if Hungary follows suit. Like other candidates, the AW149 can be armed with missiles and rockets should Hungary decide to do so.
There is considerable support within the Hungarian armed forces for new Mi-17s, a type that is familiar and well liked by air and ground crews, and by the troops they support. The main prospect is an even more refined version of the Mi-17V-5, similar to this example in service with the Venezuelan Air Force.
A Hungarian tender for second hand transport aircraft was released on June 7, 2013. Given the limited funds available, one viable option is the Pilatus PC-12.
Four Bombardier Q400s were operated by Hungary's national airline Malev until the carrier ceased operations in February 2012.