In past two years, the attempt of Hungarian government to improve the situation in its air force became apparent. At the time of Soviet withdrawal from Hungary, the Hungarian air force had quite an impressive aircraft inventory, consisting of such planes as Sukhoi Su-17/22; Aero L-39 & MiG-21/23/29. The helicopter fleet included Mi-2/8/17/24.

However, as the time passed, the fleet became to decline in numbers. First, the fleet of Su-17/22 and MiG-23 were withdrawn from service in 1997. Another type, this time MiG-21 was withdrawn from service in 2001. At the same time, Hungary started to look for replacement of the MiG-29 fleet. Its successor became the SAAB Gripen, when the first Hungarian machine landed in 2006. The last Hungarian MiG-29 was retired in 2010. In 2013, a last flight of Mi-24 in Hungarian service took place. The fleet has been grounded since. Meanwhile, Hungarian air force has lost 2 out of 14 Gripens delivered in accidents. In 2011, Finland has donated its two surplus Mi-8 helicopters, together with spare parts, to Hungary.

By 2016, the country´s leadership, under pressure of worsening security situation in Europe and on its borders, decided to bring back some of the grounded equipment. Hungarian ministry of defence announced a tender for overhaul of 5 Mi-17 helicopters, worth 12,8 mil. €. This was won by Russian company “Vertolety Rossii”. After undergoing overhaul in Novosibirsk plant, their service life was prolonged by 2000 flight hours. In the process, Mi-17´s had their main and tail rotor blades replaced, together with electrical and hydraulic system. Official ceremony of 4 (fuselage number 702, 703, 704, 705) overhauled Mi-17´s handover took place in July 2017. The fifth machine is undergoing repairs since September 2017. It should be delivered in 2018.

Satisfied with the result, Hungarian air force decided to bring back its Mi-24´s back to service as well. An official tender, worth almost 70 mil. € was announced, and it was again won by Russian company “Vertolety Rossii” (Russian helicopters). This includes overhaul of engines, airframes and flight and ground crew training. First four Mi-24´s (two Mi-24V & two Mi-24P) were loaded into An-124 on 22^nd November 2017 (fuselage numbers 711, 720 and 335, 366 respectively), followed by another four later in same month. Before the end of 2017, the remaining four Mi-24 helicopters were supposed to be ferried to Russia for overhaul in 419^th aviation overhaul plant. After undergoing scheduled maintenance, their service life will extend by 2000 flight hours or 5 to 6 years.

The transport aviation will also receive a boost, in the form of two pre-owned Airbus A-319 airliners. This was announced by Hungarian chief of staff in December 2017. Hungary was an exception among the Visegrad four countries. The silhouette of Hungarian governmental Antonov An-26 always made other participants smile, while they have been using other executive/business jets for a long time. The need was also highlighted by Hungary´s participation in 14 foreign military missions. Due to this, Hungary had to lease transportation services 55-times in 2017 alone. The main task of newly acquired duo of second-hand Airbus A-319´s will be medical evacuation and troops relocation.

This is just the first phase of transport aviation´s component modernization. There is also a tender, for heavier transport aircraft, and the ministry of defence is currently evaluating all aspects of its acquisition.