Live Firing First Conducted with the New H225M Helicopter

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed out that the first live firing of the H225M marks a milestone in the operational capability enhancement of the Hungarian helicopter branch, and it also further expands the opportunities for supporting the land forces and special operations. All these are important not only to the Hungarian Air Force but also in the adoption of NATO procedures, he said.

The HDF 86th Helicopter Wing organizes several capability sustainment aerial gunneries each year, which are of key importance in practising combat procedures with helicopters and guarantees the preparedness of the personnel, the effective application of weapon systems and quick, precise reaction in combat situations. The goal is to develop the skills of aircrews, with special attention to procedures used in air-to-ground communication and close air support.

Besides the H225M, a number of H145M light, multi-purpose and Mi-24 attack helicopters are also being used in the current training from 17 to 28 February. The crew of the H225M helicopter armed with the HForce package developed for the Hungarian Air Force carries out air-to-ground live firing with a 20 mm autocannon and a MAG58 onboard machine gun during daytime, while at night, they carry out target reconnaissance and target acquisition with night vision goggles (NVG) support.

The defence minister emphasized that the HDF are constantly developing their capabilities with military equipment modernization and the high-level training of soldiers, and regular live firing exercises are an indispensable part of the latter. Such training sessions guarantee that the HDF air force is ready to defend the nation and meet NATO obligations in all circumstances, said Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

Press release by the Ministry of Defence