Hungary has carried out the farewell flights of its Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters, officially ending the operation of aircraft that served for decades in the country’s Armed Forces.
According to the Ukrainian portal Militarnyi, the last aircraft flew on June 17, 2026, marking the end of an era that began during the Cold War period.
The Mi-24 helicopters had already been quietly withdrawn from service in early February 2026, when the remaining aircraft reached the limit of their certified service life. The retirement took place without an official public ceremony and was motivated by the expiration of the authorized operating periods for the aircraft.
Known as the “Hind” by NATO, the Mi-24 was one of Hungary’s main combat helicopters for nearly five decades. At the peak of its operation, the country maintained dozens of these aircraft in service.
The helicopters took part in surveillance missions during the conflicts in the Balkans, contributed to the security of Hungary’s borders and were involved in NATO-related missions in Afghanistan, where pilots and technicians helped train Afghan forces.
The Mi-17 helicopters, meanwhile, performed troop transport, cargo and logistical support roles. According to reports shared by military aviation communities, the Mi-24 ended a career of approximately 48 years of service in Hungary, while the Mi-17 remained active for around 39 years.
The withdrawal of the aircraft is part of the modernization process of the Hungarian Armed Forces. In recent years, Budapest has invested in the acquisition of Western helicopters, including the Airbus H145M and H225M models, which will gradually take over the roles previously performed by the older Soviet-origin helicopters.
Photos: Magyar Honvédség, Instagram @magyar_honvedseg. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
