Hungary Intends to Buy Up to 30 Russian Choppers for $490 Mln

According to Russia's Arms Trade Analysis Centre, Hungary is interested in purchasing 30 Russian helicopters.

Hungary plans to buy about 30 Russian helicopters with the value of the contract expected to reach $490 million, a spokesperson for Russia’s Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) said Friday.

"In February, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban plans to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they will discuss the delivery of up to 30 Russian helicopters to the Hungarian Air Force," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the value of the potential contract has been estimated at 142 billion Hungarian forints (some $490 million).

The spokesperson pointed out that in the future the scope of the contract between the two countries could be expanded since Hungary is seeking to replace its fleet of Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters, some of which have been in operation since 1969.