Slovenian manufacturer Pipistrel announced an agreement with Genevation Aircraft of Hungary to assemble and market Pipistrel’s SW 121 series of light airplanes to central European and other countries.
The parties signed the agreement, valued at €100 million ($117.6 million) over 10 years, Sept. 15 during the International Entrepreneurial Fair in Celje, Slovenia. Janez Janša, prime minister of Slovenia, and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban attended the ceremony.
Defense and economic ministers of the two countries signed a governmental memorandum of understanding in advance of the contact signing.
The EASA-certified, two-seat airplane—known as the Virus SW 121—is powered by a Rotax 912 S3 four-cylinder engine and comes with touchscreen displays, autopilot, aircraft recovery system and equipment for towing gliders. Max takeoff weight is 600 kg (1,323 lb.).
Applications for the SW 121 include basic and advanced pilot training, aerial photography, 3D terrain scanning, wildlife management, natural disaster monitoring, traffic observation and border surveillance.
Assembly And Aftermarket Support
Genevation, based at Jakabszállás Airport (LHJK) in central Hungary, will perform final assembly and aftermarket support of the SW 121 and promote the airplane to its domestic market, partner countries in the Visegrad Group (Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic), Russia and ex-Soviet countries, African countries, and Turkey and Israel.
“We look forward to welcoming the opportunity that Hungarian-produced Pipistrel aircraft will create as part of this cooperation, to deliver exceptional strategic value to stakeholders,” said Pipistrel. “All involved parties expect a significant increase in industry-wide engagement and enhanced global competitiveness, backed by the skill and experience [the] Slovenia-Hungary regional connection is offering.”
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