According to the statement of the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, this year's International Air Show and Military Display attracted more than a hundred thousand visitors. A total of 142 aircraft from 22 countries participated in the two-day event. The most popular attractions were the displays by various aerobatic teams; besides the Hungarian aerial displays, Russian, Croatian, Turkish, Bulgarian, Italian and Spanish teams also entertained the audience.

Among the curiosities on display was a C-17 from Hungary’s Papa Air Base as part of the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability arrangement. In addition to the “Russian Knights”, the biggest star of this year’s event, Romanian MIG-215s, Hungarian Saab Gripens, as well as Dutch and Belgian General Dynamics F-16s were on display at the show. Visitors could acquire an insight into the life of the Hungarian Army, the history of the 75-year-old Air Force as well as various military facilities.

Members of the Hungarian air force have always fulfilled their duty in defence of the nation, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said at the opening ceremony of the event. The Minister gave a special welcome to Lieutenant Colonel János Szentiványi and First Lieutenant Endre Frankó, former pilots of the legendary Wolrd War II Puma squadron.

The two-day event was attended by Sweden's Defence Minister Karin Enström, Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti and Commanders from the Slovakian, Austrian and Czech Air Force.

On account of the heat alert issued for the weekend, cooling fans and shields were installed on site and drinking water was distributed to visitors.

(Ministry of Defence)