Hungarian Air Force Mi-8s withdrawn from use
After 52 years of service the Magyar Légierö (Hungarian Air Force) has withdrawn the venerable Mil Mi-8 helicopters from use.
On Friday 26 March 2021, Mil Mi-8T serial 3304 (construction number 20284) from MH 86. 'Szolnok' Helicopter Ezred (MH 86.HE) made a farewell flight together with an Airbus H145 (serial 14).
Both helicopters departed Szolnok and flew to Pápa, Szentkirályszabadja, Kecskemét and back to Szolnok. At Kecskemét, the farewell flight was joined by two SAAB JAS39 Gripens (serials 35 and 37).
According to our database, four Mi-8s were still reported as active in the inventory of MH 86.HE, although some of them were not noted anymore for the last few years. Most probably these were already withdrawn from use at an earlier moment.
Next to the Mi-8T, MH 86.HE still operates the Mil Mi-17 of which five are still active. These will be withdrawn from use in 2024-2025 and will be replaced with the Airbus H225M. The Hungarian Air Force ordered sixteen H225M long range tactical transport and utility helicopters in December 2018. The first H225M is scheduled to be delivered in 2023.
Photos: László Berta and Zoltán Horváth