Goodbye, Mi-17! Welcome, H225M!

Modern military operations require constant development, thus, the introduction of an H225M helicopter to EUFOR Operation Althea keeps us on the front line of operational efficiency.

Major General Dr. László Sticz, the first Hungarian commander of EUFOR, expressed his appreciation in his speech to the Hungarian Air Force personnel for deploying a new helicopter so quickly at a foreign area of operation, which is a great achievement. With this step, they proved their commitment to their vocation and the modernization of the armed forces’ capability.

At the event, besides the leading personnel of the mission, Krisztián Pósa, Hungary’s attaché to Sarajevo, and Lieutenant Colonel Attila Sándor, defence, military and air attaché, also honoured the event with their presence.

During the ceremony, the Hungarian commander presented appreciation to the soldiers who helped to take injured children to a hospital in Jablanica, southwest of Kosovo, during the landslide caused by the heavy rainstorms on 4 October.

The H225M helicopter arrived at the EU peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 30 September. Following the integration and the training flights, it will primarily be used for airlift tasks.

The EUFOR’s helicopter sub-unit is provided by the Hungarian Defence Forces in 2024, during the Hungarian year of command; and after the replacement, both airlift and medical evacuation tasks will be carried out by the modern Airbus helicopters.