Hungary Receives Two More H225 Helicopters From Airbus
The Hungarian Air Force (HuAF) recently received two new H225M Caracal multi-role tactical transport helicopters from Airbus Helicopters. The helicopters, flight numbers 80 and 81, were transported from the Airbus Helicopters production plant in Marignane, France, to the Kiss József 86th Helicopter Brigade in Szolnok. Colonel Zoltán Rolkó, the brigade’s deputy commander, presided over a formal ceremony marking the arrival of the helicopters.
In December 2018, the Hungarian government signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for 16 H225M helicopters as part of the ‘Zrinyi 2026’ armed forces modernization program. So far, the Hungarian Air Force has received six H225M helicopters under this contract. The first two helicopters were delivered to Hungary on July 24, 2023, and the third and fourth helicopters were delivered to Hungary last November. The remaining ten helicopters are expected to arrive by the fourth quarter of 2024.
The majority of the H225M fleet, which will replace the Hungarian Air Force’s Soviet-era Mil Mi-17 helicopters, will be used for troop and cargo airlift missions. In addition to transport duties, the remaining helicopters will be outfitted with the HForce weapons suite and will provide support to Hungarian special operations forces.
Hungary ordered 20 H145M platforms from Airbus Helicopters, along with 16 H225M helicopters, as part of the ‘Zrinyi 2026’ program. Hungary’s H145M delivery program began in 2019 and was completed in 2021. However, one of these helicopters crashed in Croatian airspace last June for an unknown reason while conducting a training flight. As a result of the accident, three airmen in the H145M helicopter lost their lives.
The H225M is a multi-role helicopter is the most advanced member of Airbus’ military Super Puma/Cougar family. The H225M, according to Airbus Helicopters, enables military forces to be deployed wherever and whenever they are needed. The helicopter is powered by two Turboméca MAKILA 2A1 turboshaft engines, each having 2,100 shaft horsepower with sand and dust filters in the air intakes for landing on difficult terrain. The H225M is capable of carrying up to 28 troops and two pilots. The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 11,200kg, a cruise speed of 141 kilometers per hour, and a range of 909 kilometers. It also possesses a belly hook for transporting external loads weighing up to 4,750 kg.
The H225M has been proven in the field with more than 143,000 flight hours. The aircraft is operated in Brazil, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Kuwait, and Thailand in addition to Hungary.