Hungarian air force receives used planes

Two second-hand Airbus A319 aircraft acquired by the Hungarian Defence Forces have arrived at the mil,itary airport in Kecskemét. The 8-9-year-old planes were bought from the bankrupt German low-cost carrier Air Berlin and re-painted in Prague.

Defense Minister István Simicskó said earlier that the Hungarian Defence Forces are engaged in foreign missions in 14 countries, so the transport and evacuation of troops, or in a given case, the evacuation of Hungarian citizens from crisis zones must be ensured as well.

He added that the An-26 planes hitherto used for transport purposes are 40-45 years old.

The two aircraft are also likely to be used for the purposes of travels by the prime minister ands government members. Last December, János Lázár, the minister in charge of the Prime Ministerʼs Office, said the the government would buy a fleet of aircraft for its needs.