Decision on the helicopter procurement of the Hungarian Defence Forces can be taken at the start of the next term of government next year, the Minister of Defence said in the program “Ütköző” of Kossuth Radio on Friday, April 12.

Minister Hende said that on taking office, the government had learnt that the renewal and maintenance of HDF helicopters did not meet the required standards, as a result of which a lot of helicopters ceased to be airworthy. The Minister announced that they must find a long-term solution to this problem. They intend to take the relevant decision with the consensus of all political forces, all parliamentary parties, he added.

The Minister explained that currently an international tender is being prepared and discussed by experts in the Ministry of Defence. This tender sets out the requirements and expectations regarding Hungary’s helicopter capabilities for the next four decades, which are needed partly for military and partly for civil purposes, for example disaster management roles. The tender will be discussed with the parliamentary parties and will be announced so that a decision can be made on this issue at the beginning of the next term of government, the Minister said. At the same time, he also noted that budgetary resources must be allocated for this purpose.

(MTI)