Index – National – Is the Hungarian Air Force buying an Airbus A400M?

Hungary is the first country to join the German Luftwaffe’s Multinational Air Transport Unit (MNAU) program, according to an article posted on the German Armed Forces website.

In relation to the 40 military A400M propeller aircraft ordered by Germany in 2017, the German Federal Ministry of Defense proposed the establishment of an International Air Transport Corps (MNAU). The terms of this have recently been finalized.

“With the establishment of the implementation team, the first real positions were created at the MNAU base in Wunster, which is another milestone in the implementation of the multinational military airlift project. Cooperation with our Hungarian partners started with the integration of the first officers of the Hungarian Air Force. “

Said Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Chief Inspector (Inspector) of the Luftwaffe, on the occasion of the installation of the air transport unit.

German and Hungarian Inspector General of Aviation Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz and Major General Nándor Killián launch the International Air Transport Corps at Wunstorf Airport, Germany

Photo: Johannes Heyn / Bundeswehr

Next to the current base at Lechfeld airport soon another ten A400M aircraft are in the service of the corps. The final base of the MNAU is also planned to be in Lechfeld.

Cooperation is a significant benefit for the member countries of the MNAU. On the one hand, they will be able to coordinate their aviation activities with your air transport needs, and they will also save significant costs and resources while increasing environmental protection. During the implementation of their previously agreed flight plans, program participants can have Hungarian cargo carried by German pilots, and vice versa. In addition to personnel, partner states will have the opportunity to use their own badge machines within the force.

Photo: PAO Daesh / Bundeswehr accountant

All of this raises the question that

But partner countries will not only have the option of air transport, but also air refueling, which will significantly increase the range of their aircraft. The JAS 39 Gripen, which is in the service of the Hungarian Air Force, has the necessary equipment for this, and some pilots have already received the necessary training, which also means a real practice of refueling in the air.