High-Tech Standards, Millions Of Dollars, Rockets
Szöveg: György M. Tóth | 2008. december 7. 15:09With a 20 million dollar Hungarian-American investment, a Central European logistics centre has been established where even Maverick air-earth rockets of the Gripen fighters of the Hungarian Air Force can be tested.
At the defence industry joint stock company operating in Nyírtelek, near Nyíregyháza (eastern Hungary), the high-tech plant and the documents certifying the capacity were handed over on November 20. The official handover of the centre for testing both AGM–65G infra and CCD (camera) controlled AGM–65H Maverick rockets marks the beginning of regular operation.
The beginning is quite unique in itself because even though the steps of ’trial run’ were taken with training rockets in due course, the certificates attesting the capability clearly indicate: the news of this Hungarian, Nyírtelek event may attract the attention of not only the Hungarian military but any other armed forces using these kinds of rockets.
When addressing the guests at the opening of the plant, project manager Jeffry Paul Bergfield emphasized: they entrust the Hungarian party with the testing and maintenance of Maverick rockets deployed in several European NATO member countries. Ferenc Bese, the chief executive officer of the joint stock company operating the logistics centre added: the establishment of the plant marks the beginning of a new era in Nyírtelek. Moreover, providing more secure employment by fulfilling orders was also a priority for the company.
The main target was to save the work culture and technological skills created by the base – which has been dealing with military technology for half a century – when various developments were started in Nyírtelek following the change of the political system, said MP Mária Vojnik, Secretary of State for Health Policy, the representative of the area at the event. The Secretary of State of the Ministry for National Development and Economy, Ábel Garamhegyi, who also attended the opening celebration said: all those contributing to transferring world-class high-tech technology to HM Arzenál deserve credit.
Similarly to those who – being the employees of the firm owned by the defence portfolio – have further strengthened the good reputation of Hungarian experts by creating this capability, which is important in the NATO as well.
