Hungary Joins NATO Tiger Meet 2026 in Greece — New Gripen Livery Signals Alliance Recommitment

The NATO Tiger Meet 2026 exercise began on May 4 at Araxos Air Base in Greece, with Hungary's Air Force participating alongside 11 other NATO member air forces. Hungary is displaying a new puma-themed livery on its JAS 39C Gripen jets — the first time Hungary has applied a custom livery to a Tiger Meet aircraft. The exercise (May 4–15) focuses on air-to-air combat proficiency, interoperability, and tactical exchange. Hungary's participation comes days after two additional Gripes were delivered to Kecskemét Air Base and shortly before the swearing-in of the new Magyar government, which has pledged full NATO alignment. Defense Minister-designate Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, a career military officer, is expected to attend the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels in late May to formally reaffirm Hungary's alliance commitments.