Hungary's air force has accepted two modified Mil Mi-24Pattack helicopters into service, nine years after acquiring the aircraft free of charge from Germany. The first of these was delivered to the country's Szentkiralyszabadja air base on 17 June, after undergoing an overhaul by Hungary's Danubian Aircraft.
The air force received six former East German Mi-24Ps and 14 Mi-24Ds in 1995 and planned to form a third attack helicopter squadron with the aircraft. But a shortage of funds meant they were kept in open storage until it was decided last year to overhaul the six Mi-24Ps, which had amassed between 81 and 257 flight hours each. The aircraft will join the air force's nine Mi-24Vs to form one attack helicopter squadron that is expected to operate until 2015-20. The 14 Mi-24Ds will not undergo modernisation.
The air force's first two airframes underwent modernisation from mid-2003 at Danubian Aircraft, with their engines and gearboxes overhauled by LOM Praha of the Czech Republic. The first modified aircraft made its debut test flight on 7 June, before making its state acceptance flight and being delivered on 17 June. The second was scheduled to follow late last month, and work to modify the remaining four will begin following the receipt of a full contract. One operational matter yet to be resolved covers Hungary's need to acquire suitable ammunition for use with the Mi-24P's twin-barrel 30mm cannon.
Source: Flight International
