The Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) attempted to carry out a joint project with Russian defense enterprises to modernize Hungarian helicopters. This is evidenced by documents obtained by the international intelligence community InformNapalm in cooperation with analysts from the Militant Intelligence group.
According to the published materials, in 2018 IAI sent a letter to the General Director of the Russian company “Russian Helicopters.” In it, the Israeli side expressed its willingness to participate in a program to modernize Mi-35 helicopters for Hungary and also proposed cooperation with Russia within the framework of the Ka-226 project, which was being implemented in India. “This correspondence demonstrates the Israeli company’s desire for commercial engagement with Russia despite its international isolation,” representatives of InformNapalm stated.
Under the leadership of Viktor Orbán, Hungary – despite being a member of both NATO and the EU – has effectively become a hub for the activities of Russian defense structures. In addition, InformNapalm released another document dated 2016. It shows that Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation officially authorized the company Russian Helicopters to participate in a tender announced by the Hungarian Ministry of Defense for the overhaul of four to five Mi-17 helicopters. Notably, the document specifically states that the participation of the original developer – the M.L. Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant – is mandatory in the repair process.
This fact points to the direct involvement of Russian defense enterprises in the modernization of a NATO member state’s weaponry – even after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began in 2014. The Mi-35 helicopter is an export variant of the Mi-24V model, which was supplied to a number of countries that are now members of the Alliance. Hungary currently operates six Mi-24V helicopters and two Mi-24P helicopters.
It was recently revealed that the Hungarian company Milspace Kft is assisting the Russian corporation “Russian Helicopters” in securing contracts for the repair of foreign helicopters, thereby helping to circumvent international sanctions. In an official letter sent by Milspace Kft to the Mexican company Personas y Paquetes Por Aire, S.A. de C.V., a scheme was outlined for bypassing the restrictions imposed on the Russian defense industry.
Source: Militarnyi
