The construction of a new 3D radio-radar at Medina in Southern Hungary began in October 2012. The facility is aimed at protecting the aerial space over all NATO countries.

A new NATO 3D radar became operational Wednesday morning at Medina in southern Hungary, the country's Defense Minister Csaba Hende announced.

According to the minister, the new radar station will help protect the air space not only over Hungary but over all NATO countries.

He added that the alliance has placed great hopes on the radar. This is why NATO funded 94 percent of the building costs and will continue funding for the next 18 years.

The construction of the over 1 billion forints ($3.5 million) facility began in October 2012. The radar replaced the Soviet-made radio-radar equipment in operation since 1987.

NATO representative Koen Gijsbers, in his turn, noted that the alliance has stationed eight radars of this type, including in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

The new radar at Medina is the third 3D radar facility to control the aerial space of the country, after Bankut in the north and Bekescsaba in the south-east.

Source: Sputnik International