Second Rotation of H145M Helicopter Detachment in Kosovo

Hungary offered the largest NATO land operation an Airbus H145M helicopter as of March for a period of one year. The first rotation successfully finished the service at the end of June and returned to Szolnok. The new team, arriving for a four-month service, built the lessons learned by the first rotation personnel into the training program. Therefore, knowing local characteristics and leaning on working structures, the second rotation can smoothly carry out air support tasks for the KFOR mission.

The Hungarian Air Force supports the KFOR peacekeeping mission with modern technology equipment and committed personnel. The Airbus H145M, equipped with an Electro-Optical System (EOS) for reconnaissance, is stationed at the military terminal of Pristina International Airport, together with two Swiss and one Croatian helicopter.

The multi-role aircraft carries out its reconnaissance and support tasks in accordance with NATO’s needs. Thanks to the EOS, the Hungarian rotorcraft is able to provide significant support to allied forces.

Experience and lessons learned during the tour of duty – especially cooperation in multinational operations, the application of joint procedures and real-time information sharing – enhance the professional preparedness of the Hungarian Helicopter Detachment. These all contribute to the development of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ combat readiness and interoperability, which are especially important from the aspect of successful joint action with NATO member states and other allied countries.

KFOR is NATO’s largest and oldest peacekeeping mission, providing peace and security in Kosovo since 1999. The operation, comprising 29 – 24 NATO and 5 non-NATO – countries, currently has 4600 participants, including more than 400 Hungarian troops. With this, the Hungarian Defence Forces’ engagement in the Western Balkans is outstanding among the Alliance members, as Hungary is the fifth largest troop contributing nation.