Hungary to get US helicopters

The Hungarian Army will be able to get free of charge military helicopters worth USD five million a piece, which have been withdrawn from service in the United States Marine Corps, and offered to partner countries.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the U.S. military withdraws from service a total of 89 helicopters, and they are offered free of charge or at discounted rates to the partner countries. As Hungary is one of the most reliable partners, therefore, it will get the machines free - the ministry said. The vehicles in question is the UH-1N Iroquois helicopters, produced by the company Bell in the United States.

Although, the negotiations have not ended, yet, there is a good chance that the helicopters given to Hungary in 2013are not only free but fully equipped, and even supplied with spare parts. Hungary will only have to cover the delivery, deployment and training costs for the crew, but it is also possible that even the full amount of these do not have to be paid.

This model, one of the most common medium-size helicopters, can carry one pilot and 14 passengers or as a transport helicopter has an interior loading area of 6.2 cubic meters and can lift a 2,268 kg load. They are in excellent condition and are likely to be used even when the current, Soviet-made helicopters have to be withdrawn from service in about ten years.