The first Hungarian KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft arrived at the base of the Vitéz Szentgyörgyi Dezső 101st Aviation Wing of the Hungarian Defence Forces in Kecskemét on Thursday.
At the reception ceremony, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized that Hungary is a pro-peace country, and the government is committed to both peacebuilding and peacekeeping. He stated that it is essential to ensure that the Hungarian Defence Forces are equipped with strong, stable, and reliable assets, highlighting that the KC-390 military transport aircraft is such an asset.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky also noted that Hungary is building a 21st-century, high-operational-value, multi-branch armed force, with the primary objective being the modernization of air defence. He stressed that the ongoing war in a neighbouring country has drawn attention to potential dangers, making it crucial to ensure the safety of Hungarian airspace.
He further mentioned that, along with new radar and missile systems, the ongoing development of a heavy brigade, both as part of Hungary’s NATO commitments and for national defence, is continuing. The recent arrival of Lynx tanks, Gidrán combat vehicles, and three Leopard tanks underscores this effort.
Regarding the KC-390 Millennium aircraft, which landed at the Kecskemét airbase on Thursday, 5 September, Szalay-Bobrovniczky highlighted its suitability for the complex tasks
required of a modern military, based on its capabilities and technical specifications.
João Bosco da Costa Jr, CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, added that the KC-390 significantly enhances the operational capacity of the Hungarian Defence Forces and Air Force, enabling Hungary to take on a more prominent role in Europe and within NATO. He noted that this aircraft is the first KC-390 equipped with an intensive care unit, vital for medical missions, making it a versatile tool for military and humanitarian operations. He also mentioned that
Hungary joins Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic in choosing this aircraft model.
This is not the first time the KC-390 has landed in Kecskemét. The aircraft spent more than two weeks at the base in April for the installation and validation of NATO-specific communication systems. After completing production in Brazil, it has now returned to Hungary. According to materials distributed at the event, the Hungarian Defence Forces are acquiring two KC-390 transport aircraft, following the retirement of the AN-26 military transport planes and growing military transport demands. The Hungarian version of the aircraft can carry up to 26 tonnes of cargo, refuel in mid-air, and accommodate intensive care beds for critically ill or injured patients.
Lieutenant Engineer Jenő Kiss, the head of service at the Air Technical Squadron, highlighted that the KC-390’s unique features include its immense carrying capacity, with a maximum take-off weight of 87,000 kilograms. The aircraft can transport 80 soldiers or 63 paratroopers and, in evacuation missions, it can carry 74 injured soldiers and 4 in need of intensive care.
With maximum cargo, the KC-390 can fly 2,000 kilometres, and with a lighter load, it can reach 4,000 to 5,000 kilometres. Two additional fuel tanks can extend its range to 8,000 kilometres.
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