Capability shortfalls are past history

The activity of the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) is of key importance because it is the only institution in Europe that provides helicopter tactics training. As emphasized by Colonel Jorge Inácio, Commander of the MHTC, in his presentation during the professional day, the establishment of the centre was prompted by a capability shortfall identified by the European Defence Agency (EDA) fifteen years ago, which affected all European armed forces.

To address this shortfall, three distinct training programs were developed, all of which have been coordinated by the MHTC since its establishment in 2024. In addition to the program of the helicopter exercises and tactical training, the currently ongoing Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course (HTIC) also forms part of this training structure. Each of the above programs is tailored to the specific needs of all participating nations. Currently, fourteen countries are involved, but the Czech Republic and Slovakia are also expected to become permanent members of the multinational cooperation by the end of 2025.

“Our objectives are to attain interoperability and to strengthen and develop our capabilities and training level, through joint efforts and cooperation” – emphasized Colonel Jorge Inácio. To this end, the MHTC runs training courses for 36 weeks a year, with approximately 220 attendees.

“By now the functioning of the MHTC has consolidated, so from now on we must focus on growth and development” – pointed out the MHTC commander. As he said, they are on the right track, as besides planning to include a new training program in the near future, the infrastructure development of Sintra Air Base is well under way. Within this framework, the institution is going to receive a number of new simulators, which will, at the minimum, double or even triple the training capacity.

“The Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course is a course setting very high requirements” – said Colonel Zoltán Rolkó, Vice-Commander, HDF 86th Helicopter Wing, who is at once exercise director (EXDIR). As he told us, this training starts with a four-week Ground Phase consisting of academics and a helicopter tactics simulator phase in Portugal. It is followed by a three-week Flying Phase, which is to be conducted in Pápa, Hungary already on the fifth occasion.

Within the Flying Phase, aircrews carry out tasks including dissimilar formation flying, evasion training against fighter aircraft and air defence systems, Electronic Warfare (EW) against ground-based and airborne systems, Convoy Escort and Vehicle Check Points. The training culminates in the planning and execution of a Composite Air Operation (COMAO) in which the helicopter tactics instructor candidates have to carry out joint operational tasks in cooperation with fighter jets and ground forces in the interest of joint force action.

In his presentation, HTIC Chief Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Rickard Rörberg pointed out that the course is focused on training the instructors so they can acquire professional tactical depth and expertise while being embedded in an international environment. Accordingly, the course has three levels of difficulty.

The first year includes “generic tactics” training with BRONZE end of course status for the course graduates called “Tactics Trainees”. In the second year, the SILVER tactics instructor level trains Helicopter Tactics Instructors (HTIs). The third, highest level is the “Train the Trainer” training, during which instructors become mentors responsible for mentoring trainee instructors during the course to become GOLD tactics instructors. “This year, the European helicopter community has received 14 BRONZE, seven SILVER and two GOLD tactics instructors” – summed up Colonel Zoltán Rolkó.

The Hungarian Defence Forces joined the European Defence Agency (EDA) helicopter training programs in 2009, first in a professional supervisor status and from 2012 as active participant. Since then, our role has continuously strengthened, a good example of which is the appointment of a Hungarian MHTC deputy commander in the person of Lieutenant Colonel Zoltán Szili at the 2024 establishment of the centre. Besides, Hungary – like other participating nations, with one person – is also represented in the planning and coordination staff of the MHTC.

Besides the administrative role, we are also actively engaged in practical task execution – such as the Blade exercise series running under the aegis of the organization. Our aircrews, however, do not only attend MHTC training programs, but in many instances, they are responsible for managing their conduct. “Starting from next year, Hungary will also provide the chief instructor for the MHTC” – noted Lieutenant Colonel Zoltán Szili.