As part of the Hungarian armies modernization program Zrinyi 2026, Budapest ordered 20 H145M medium helicopters and 16 H225M Caracal maneuvering helicopters from Airbus Hélicoptères, intended to replace the MI-24 and Mi-17 currently in service, inherited from the Soviet era. The first two H145Ms were delivered this week to the Hungarian Air Force, beginning this vast modernization program.
The H145M is a helicopter designed in the 1990s, and which made its first flight in 1999. The aircraft, equipped with a Fenestron and powered by 2 Safran Ariel 2E turbines deploying 775 Kw (1039 hp) each, can transport a load of 1800 kg at 250 km/h cruising speed. It is equipped with the HForce weapon system from Airbus Hélicoptère, allowing it to combine various weapons, from machine guns to guided rockets, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.
The H225M Caracal, derived from the Super Puma, is a maneuvering helicopter capable of transporting up to 28 armed soldiers. It can exceed 320 km/h in level flight, and has a range of 900 km. It can be equipped with various weapons and payloads, such as machine guns or port cannons, rockets and Air-to-Ground missiles, including the Hellfire anti-tank missile or the AM39 exocet anti-ship missile, as well as various detection equipment. (FLIR, Radar) or self-protection. It can also be refueled in flight using a removable telescopic pole. The device is in service with 5 armed forces (Brazil, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico), including the French special forces, and 5 other countries have acquired it (Hungary, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Singapore, Thailand).
The Zrinyi 2026 program has broad ambitions, backed by an increase in defense investments to 2% of GDP in 2024 as recommended by NATO. Thus, the land forces will be brought to 37.500 men, almost 10.000 personnel more than today, while the reserve forces will have to exceed 20.000 men. Alongside the 2 contracts for the H145M and H225M, Budapest also ordered 56 combat tanks Leopard 2 including 44 Leopard 2 A7+ and 12 Leopard 2 A4, as well as 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled guns. In addition, a consultation is being held for the acquisition of 200 infantry fighting vehicles.