Hungary Deploys HERO 30 to Enhance Tactical Precision Strike Capabilities on the Battlefield.

On June 17, 2025, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence officially unveiled the HERO 30 loitering munition during a high-profile defense exhibition, marking the first public display of this new tactical precision-strike system. This presentation is the operational culmination of a procurement initiative launched in 2023, when Hungary signed a contract with Rheinmetall and Israeli defense manufacturer UVision for the acquisition of the HERO family of loitering munitions. While deliveries began in 2024, the mid-2025 debut confirms the platform’s operational integration into the Hungarian Defence Forces.
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A Soldier prepares to launch the HERO 30 loitering munition during a live demonstration (Picture source: UVision)

The HERO 30 is an electrically powered, tactical loitering munition designed for short-range precision engagements. Weighing approximately 3 to 3.5 kilograms with a 0.5-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead, the system offers up to 30 minutes of loitering time and an operational range that can reach between 10 and 20 kilometers, depending on environmental and antenna configurations. Designed for silent operation, the HERO 30 uses a pneumatic canister launch system that allows for rapid, low-signature deployment in field conditions. Its fold-out wings and electric propulsion system facilitate high-speed transit to target zones, followed by low-speed loitering for surveillance and engagement.

The munition is equipped with a gimballed electro-optical/infrared seeker that transmits real-time imagery to the operator, enabling man-in-the-loop targeting, dynamic mission control, and selective engagement. Operators can abort or reassign missions mid-flight, allowing for lawful and flexible strike operations. The system’s low acoustic, thermal, and radar signatures make it ideal for covert operations in contested environments, including those with electronic countermeasures or GPS denial.

Strategically, the HERO 30 supports Hungary’s Zrínyi 2026 defense modernization program, which aims to create a digitized and highly mobile military force capable of operating within a NATO-aligned, multi-domain battlespace. The integration of HERO 30 into frontline units addresses Hungary’s need for precision strike capabilities at the platoon and company level, particularly as the country adapts to the evolving security landscape along NATO’s eastern flank. The loitering munition offers rapid engagement options for threats such as enemy personnel, light vehicles, and fortified positions, and bridges the capability gap between indirect fire support and close air support.

Additionally, Hungary has confirmed the integration of HERO loitering munitions into its domestically manufactured Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles. This platform synergy enhances combined arms operations and extends loitering munitions’ tactical reach, enabling infantry to deploy precision strike capabilities directly from armored formations. The adoption of HERO 30 is expected to be followed by additional variants, such as the HERO 120 and HERO 400, forming a scalable loitering strike suite across different echelons of the Hungarian armed forces.

Hungary’s decision to operationalize HERO munitions represents a shift toward autonomous, modular, and ISR-enhanced weaponry within its ground forces. It ensures interoperability with NATO systems and provides a critical deterrent capability amid rising regional tensions. The HERO 30, now in frontline service, significantly enhances Hungary’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging battlefield threats with precision and reduced collateral risk.

The increasing use of loitering munitions in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has underlined their decisive role in high-intensity, conventional warfare. Both sides have employed these systems extensively for precision strikes against command posts, air defenses, logistics hubs, and armored vehicles, often in contested and GPS-denied environments. Their ability to provide ISR and strike capability in a single platform allows for rapid kill-chains without the need for artillery or close air support. For countries like Hungary, integrating loitering munitions such as the HERO 30 ensures that ground forces are equipped with versatile tools that enhance situational awareness, reduce sensor-to-shooter time, and deliver effects with minimal collateral damage, all of which are critical in modern peer-level engagements.