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The best travel BCDs for 2023

4 May 2023 11 minutes

A lightweight travel BCD makes the perfect choice for warm-water recreational diving. Here are some of the best travel B CDs on the market today – a mix of traditional jacket, back-inflation and wing-style versions, all 3kg or less in weight

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With airline baggage charges occupying a shadowy borderline between ‘additional fees’ and ‘not far off blackmail’, travellers can find themselves handing over cash for even the slightest packing oversight.

A full set of dive gear can take up your entire baggage allowance all by itself and airlines are inconsistent as to whether or not they will accept dive gear as ‘sporting goods’. If you have to take multiple carriers to reach your destination, then it’s entirely possible you will find yourself held to ransom halfway through your journey.

Lightweight travel BCDs may have compromises regarding their use and durability, but for the typical tropical diver, these are offset by the savings in baggage fees and ease of transport. There’s no hard-and-fast rule as to what the weight limit of a travel BCD should be, but the unofficial target set by the manufacturers is 3kg, so we’ve aimed in this article for a range of products that come in at 3kg or under.

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AP Diving Commando Escape €469.65

AP Diving is a cutting-edge, independent British manufacturer based in Cornwall. Everything is built and tested in the company’s own workshop, and the quality of its products shines through. The Commando Escape is a traditional jacket-style BCD bordering on the 3kg weight limit and demonstrates AP Diving’s no-compromise approach to design. Using a bespoke material for the single-bladder construction that is welded rather than stitched, the Escape has four pockets, four anodized aluminium D-rings and a rigid, blow-moulded lightweight backplate, resulting in a complete BCD in terms of functionality and durability, but light enough to travel easily. There is no integrated weight system, but twin-cylinder and pony bottle cam bands are available as optional extras.

Specifications

Dry weight: 2.63kg (S) – 3.26kg (XXL) Maximum lift: 11.2kg(S) – 27.5kg (XXL) Material/denier: bespoke OceanSeal 805 (bladder), Cordura 1000 (exterior) Backplate: rigid Integrated weights: no

www.apdiving.com

Ap diving travelwing €469.65.

Built with a combination of the same 1,000-denier Cordura and the bespoke OceanSeal material as the Escape, the TravelWing is a back-inflation-style jacket that comes with an integrated weight system as standard, although the pockets can be extended and used for storage if the diver prefers to use a weight belt or harness. The padded cummerbund is adjustable at both the front and rear, and the soft backplate is padded for extra comfort, although it does mean that the twin cylinder cam upgrade is not available. D-rings are plentiful, with a total of seven on the outside and one in each pocket.

Dry weight : 2.7kg(S/M) – 2.9kg(L/XL) Maximum lift: 14.5kg Material/denier : bespoke OceanSeal 805 (bladder), Cordura 1,000 (exterior) Backplate: soft Integrated weights: yes

Aqualung Rogue £540.00

Aqualung’s Rogue is a cut-down back-inflation-style modular BCD which comes in at a lightweight 2.2kg, adding a little more for the optional integrated weight pockets. The Rogue’s unique ‘Mod-Lock’ system allows for a wide range of customisation, so that divers whose personal dimensions don’t match the standard sizes might use – for example – a large waistband with smaller shoulder straps. Uto 27 different customisation options are available. It’s ‘no fuss design’ retains essential features such as pockets, stainless steel D-rings, an octo holder and knife attachment point. It doesn’t have a backplate as such, rather, a semi-rigid harness to which everything else attaches, making packing and storage a low-profile affair.

Dry weight: 1.5kg Maximum lift: 15.3kg (33.7lbs) Material/denier: N/A Backplate: N/A Integrated weights: optional

www.aqualung.com

Check it out on amazon, cressi travelight / travelight lady £459.99.

Cressi’s most popular travel BCD is the jacket-style Travelight. The 210-denier nylon from which it is constructed means that some overall durability is sacrificed to make up for the light weight, but Cressi is keen to point out that the lighter material does not make the BCD any more ‘flimsy’ than others. The fully-flexible backplate comes with extra padding and two cambands for tank security, integrated weights are standard and two trim pockets at the rear are part of the design. Large zippered pockets and four alloy D-rings allow for plenty of carrying capacity, and the rear dump valve control is mounted at the front of the jacket. The Travelight Lady has differently-routed shoulder straps and fastenings to cater for the female form.

Dry weight: 2.3kg(XS) – 2.8kg (XL) Maximum lift: 6.1kg (XS) – 16.3kg(XL) Material/denier: nylon 210 Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: yes

www.cressi.com

Hollis lts $499.95.

Technical diving specialist Hollis has produced a slimmed-down version of its all-purpose HD200 tech/rec crossover, with the 2.27kg Lightweight Travel System featuring the classic ‘donut’ wing bladder with drag-reducing bungee cords in a lightweight harness. It is constructed from a 420-denier rated bladder with a 1,000-denier nylon external covering. Although it’s not strictly speaking a technical diving product, the location of chest and hip D-rings and 13.6kg lift capacity allows for the slinging of a second tank for those who wish to do so. The design is an all-in-one piece rather than an interchangeable modular system, and like most technical rigs there are no storage pockets and no integrated weight system as such. However, side pockets allow for 2.27kg of ditchable trim-weights according to the diver’s needs.

Dry weight: 2.27kg (S/M – XL) Max. lift: 13.6kg (all sizes) Material/denier: nylon 420 (bladder), 1000 (exterior) Backplate: partially flexible Integrated weights: trim only

www.hollis.com

Mares magellan £360.

Mares, for some time, did not have an especially lightweight option, but this has been dramatically changed with the introduction of its Magellan BCD, a back-inflate jacket weighing just 2.3kg in its largest available size, yet generating an impressive 18.5kg of lift. The backplate is completely foldable for ease of packing; an integrated weight system comes as standard with optional tank-mountable trim pockets. 1 heavy technopolymer and 4 stainless D ring plus a roll-up pocket keep accessories stored, and ergonomic concave shoulder straps make for a more comfortable all-round fit, especially for female divers.

Dry weight: 2.1kg (S/M) – 2.3kg (L/XL) Maximum lift: 18.5kg (41lbs) Material/denier: Cordura 420 Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: yes.

www.mares.com

Mares xr-rec trim single backmount set £480.

The Mares XR-Rec Trim Single Backmount Set comes with a redesigned ‘skeleton’ aluminium backplate shedding 40 per cent of its weight compared to its predecessor, with a soft back panel providing extra suport and comfort. Two tank straps provide cylinder security for the single bladder, which is longer than traditional designs for greater buoyancy in the lower back area, and two aluminium D-rings on the waist strap provide support for stage tanks. The set is available in black, blue, white and aqua.

Dry weight: 2.8kg Maximum lift: N/A Material/denier: 1000D Cordura Backplate: rigid Integrated weights: optional extra

Northern Diver Flight Travel £330

Northern Diver’s Flight Travel is a lightweight version of its popular Guardian BCD, weighing in between 2.7kg in its smallest size to 2.9kg in its largest. The Flight Travel has a moulded, padded, semi-rigid backplte and may be low in weight but it is definitely not short of features, with 15 – yes, fifteen! – CETL plastic D-rings, two generous zipped pockets and four air dumping methods. The BCD also has sliders for vertical adjustment of the chest strap, a removable reflective pocket for Northern Diver’s Flexi-Light, and a removable bungee cord with a split ring attachment point. Two integrated quick-release weight pockets come as standard. The ,

Dry weight: 2.8kg Maximum lift: 12.2kg (M), 22.4kg (L), 27.5kg (XL) Material/denier: Nylon 420D Backplate: moulded, padded Integrated weights: yes.

www.ndiver.com

Oceanic biolite $534.95.

Promoted by Oceanic as ‘minimalistic’, the open- harness, rear-inflation Biolite certainly meets that description. The bladder is constructed from Oceanic’s patented Bioflex material, which is claimed to be up to 30 per cent more flexible than other materials, therefore allowing the BCD to be built with a smaller air cell to minimise the amount of material used and to reduce the overall dimensions of the jacket. The exterior is constructed of 1,000-denier Cordura and, in keeping with the minimalist design, the integrated ‘quick drop’ weight system carries up to 6.4kg, with two non-ditchable trim pockets attached to the tank strap fitted as standard. Plastic D-rings, an adjustable shoulder carabiner retainer and small, zippered side pockets provide enough storage space for small accessories.

Dry weight: 2.5kg (L) Maximum lift: 11.4kg (S/M) – 13.2kg (L/XL/XXL) Material/denier: bespoke BioFlex (bladder), 1,000-denier Cordura (exterior) Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: trim only

www.oceanicworldwide.com

Scubapro go £455.

A mainstay of the recreational dive industry, Scubapro is renowned for its high-quality, staple products – the Go is no exception. Although the base material is 210-denier nylon, a polyurethane coating helps to reduce the damage associated with abrasion, while keeping the weight down to just 2.5kg. The fully-flexible backpack allows the Go to be folded into dimensions small enough to fit into cabin baggage, with its single-bladder wraparound construction built for the comfort of a standard BCD. A robust second strap, in addition to the cam buckle, helps to keep the tank stable, and voluminous zippered pockets, plus six aluminium D-rings and attachment grommets allow for plenty of storage. An integrated weight system is added as standard but can be removed to save further weight if needed. Trim weight pockets are available as an optional extra.

Dry weight: 2.4kg (XS) – 2.7kg (XL) Maximum lift: 10.2kg (XS) – 19.4kg (XL) Material/denier: polyurethane-coated, 210-denier nylon Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: yes

www.scubapro.com

Xdeep nx ghost £515-589.

The X-Deep Ghost is a premium wing geared towards the travelling recreational diver who prefers the wing and harness configuration. The skeleton backplate is made from aircraft-grade aluminium alloy and the tank adapter at the rear can be relocated to suit the diver’s requirements. The Ghost’s bladder, constructed from 1,100-denier Cordura, is smaller at the top than at the bottom, reducing the tendency to push a diver forward at the surface. Weighing in at just 2.2kg for the backplate, bladder and harness, complete with steel D-rings, the system is one of the lightest on the market. Ditchable weight pockets, as with most wing systems, are sold as modular extras but add little to the overall weight. A deluxe model is available which includes a quick-release harness and extra shoulder padding.

Dry weight: 2.2kg (standard), 2.4kg (deluxe) Maximum lift: 17kg Material/denier: polyurethane-coated nylon 420 (bladder), 1,100-denier Cordura (weight pockets) Backplate: rigid Integrated weights: no

www.xdeep.eu

Before you buy…, rent or buy your own dive gear for travel.

One obvious solution to the problem of excess baggage is not to carry any equipment at all, and to simply rent your kit from the dive centre. This is a personal choice, but most people who dive regularly prefer to buy their own gear. You know its history and how well it’s been looked after and – barring a change in your physique – it will be a perfect fit.

If you only dive once per year on holiday, renting equipment is less expensive overall, but since hiring a full set of gear can cost between €5 and €50 per day, regular divers will find that purchasing their own equipment will lead to long-term savings.

The first rule when buying equipment is: if you’re not certain, stick with what you know. Many divers will learn to dive in a jacket-style BCD, and if you know a product that fits you well and is known to be comfortable, then that’s your best starting point.

Fit is essential for BCDs as a poorly-fitting device can have a major impact on buoyancy control, but sizing can vary between manufacturers and their design philosophy and is often substantially different from what size T-shirt a person might wear.

Trying them out in person is highly recommended, and don’t forget that you might have to leave enough room for adjustment depending on the thickness of exposure suit you might be using. Consider what functionality you might require in terms of pockets and D-rings based on what you’re likely to carry during a dive.

Click here for DIVE’s guide to buying your first dive gear

Jacket, wing or back-inflate.

The jacket is the most common style of BCD and the one in which most people learn to dive. The bladder inflates at both the rear and the sides and this style is probably the best choice for inexperienced divers, as a jacket – generally speaking – gives you more vertical stability at the surface.

Wings are favoured by technical divers as they allow for more flexible configurations, provide excellent horizontal stability and have more room under the arms for carrying extra tanks or performing complicated tasks. They are increasingly popular among recreational divers, but you do need to learn to compensate for the position into which they can push you at the surface.

Wings have an inherent advantage when it comes to packing, as they are less bulky than a traditional jacket-style BCD, but don’t let this be a determining factor unless you’re sure a wing is right for you

Back-inflate BCDs are a hybrid of the jacket and wing designs which help maintain horizontal trim, but retain the pockets and integrated weight systems that many divers love. 

Click here for DIVE’s choice of back-inflate BCDs

Construction.

The basic material used in the construction of BCDs is nylon, or a variation thereof. Cordura®, which often crops up in BCD specs, is a brand that specialises in tough fabrics made from, among other things, nylon. Some manufacturers may highlight extra polyurethane (PU) or bespoke coatings for increased resistance to abrasion, usually with an increased price tag.

‘Denier’ is a measure of how densely the fibres of a particular fabric are woven, with the lower end of the scale being less dense – and therefore lighter, but less durable – than the higher. This does not mean that a BCD with a low-denier rating is in any way sub-standard, but it does mean that they are less resistant to abrasion.

Backplates are traditionally rigid constructions of hardened plastic, aluminium or steel. Some travel BCDs may have rigid, partially rigid or soft, flexible backplates to reduce luggage space, but care should be taken topside when handling kit with a soft backplate set up on a tank.

Integrated weights, pockets and D-rings

Integrated weight pouches are a common feature of many BCDs, but may be smaller in travel BCDs than on regular jackets, so you may need to carry extra weight using a weight belt. Some designs have additional trim pockets or pouches included as standard, other brands sell them as optional extras.

Similarly, side pockets on a travel BCD are often smaller than on a standard jacket to save on material weight. Some travel BCDs have only one pocket, and some have none at all.

D-rings are more likely to be made from plastic or aluminium rather than stainless steel, so if you habitually carry heavier equipment such as a professional-level camera with housing and strobes, you may need to take this into consideration.

Overall, there should be enough room for the carriage of accessories such as small torches, SMBs, reels, and to clip alternative air sources to the jacket, but you might need to invest in some extra clips.

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Buoyancy compensator TRAVELWING

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AP Diving Travelwing - SALE

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AP Diving Travelwing

The BC is available at the sale market in one size:

Performance Without Compromise:

the AP Travelwing is made from the same unique lightweight materials sourced to produce the popular Commando Escape travel bcd - a combination of the toughest available laminated 1000 denier Cordura on the pockets and exterior panels while the wing itself is welded using high spec 800 denier - OceanSeal800 - which is twice as durable as most other bcds on the market, travel or otherwise

The Travelwing weighs-in at a flight-friendly sub-3kg

It comes with integrated weight pouches as standard - which hold up to 5kg each (11lb) solid or shot lead (i.e. 10kg total) and are secured with a 25mm buckle and large velcro flap

All-in-all, the new Travelwing is a lightweight package that delivers the high performance, quality and comfort expected of all AP BCDs

Max Lift: 14.5kg (140N) Dry Weight: 2.7kg (S/M), 2.9kg (L/XL)

Stowage Pockets: If the weight pouches are removed and the pockets used for stowage instead, the capacity per pocket is either 1.5 litres each or 3 litres (204mm x 18mm x 90mm) if folded out to full size (see images)

Available in 2 sizes - S/M and L/XL [Note: the wing and harness are the same size for both but there are 2 sizes of waist cummerbund]

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Apeks Deluxe Webbed Harness

Apeks wtx backplate aluminium, technical diving wings, harnesses and backplates.

Find the best value Technical Diving Wings, Harnesses and Backplates at Mike's Dive Store. If you think technical diving may be the route you are going to follow when you take up scuba diving then perhaps you should consider a Wing type configuration. The technical diving setup means you can modularise your buoyancy control, meaning you buy a harness and then add on whichever bladder suits the type of diving you will be doing.

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Nowadays, technical diving is ever so popular, and Mike's Dive Store offers a vast range of technical diving equipment from major brands like Hollis, Dive Rite, Apeks, Mares XR, Scubapro X-Tek range.

Mares is famous for putting a lot of effort into their technical diving research and development. As a result, they launch Mares XR range  of products which include the latest wings, harnesses and backplates. We think they look fantastic. This Italian brand not only looks super stylish but offers a real performance underwater. If you are looking for high-quality technical diving or sidemount equipment, Mares is worth consideration.

Just like the previous company, Scubapro's proud recreational diving heritage has been supplemented by a fantastic range of technical diving wings, harnesses and backplates from Scubapro X-Tek range . This extraordinarily well-made and reliable line of technical diving products delivers all you need for your technical diving needs.  Scubapro is one of our favourite brands, and we stock a great selection of Scubapro X-Tek, X-Tek Pure and X-Tek Pro technical diving systems.

Hollis and Dive Rite are two American companies that need no introduction. They have been founded purely to offer technical diving equipment of the highest quality. Their development and design of technical wings, harness and backplates thrive on decades of technical diving expertise of their founding fathers and other diving explorers. As an ongoing commitment to our technical divers, Mike's Dive Store offers technical wings, harnesses and backplates from Hollis and Dive Rite.

If you are looking for technical wings, harnesses and backplate manufacturer closer to home Apeks is your brand. They have been at the heart of technical diving for some time and offer fantastic modular systems for all your technical diving needs.  The WTX and WTX-D Series is a selection of harnesses, buoyancy cells and accessories are a fantastic choice for any aspired explorer.  

If you are looking for some inspiration and advice read our Technical Diving Blog  or give us a call with any technical questions. 

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Open seating no more? Southwest CEO says airline is weighing cabin changes

Southwest Airlines  is considering changes to its single-class, open-seating cabins to drive up revenue, CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC on Thursday, a shift that could be among the largest in the airline’s history.

“We’re looking into new initiatives, things like the way we seat and board our aircraft,” Jordan said in an interview after the carrier’s  disappointing first-quarter report.

Southwest’s all- Boeing  737 fleet has a single economy class cabin and no seating assignments, though it does offer earlier boarding for a fee so customers can snag their preferred seats. The airline has focused on keeping its product simple and user-friendly for years, aiming to keep its own costs and complexity to a minimum.

Meanwhile, rivals including  Delta  and  United  have touted high revenue growth for premium seating such as business class and  strong upsell rates .

Analysts have repeatedly asked Southwest about opportunities for premium seating or additional fees. (The airline doesn’t charge travelers for their first two checked bags.)

Most U.S. airlines charge travelers to choose many of its seats in advance, even those that don’t come with extra legroom. Eight U.S. carriers —  Alaska ,  Allegiant ,  American , Delta,  Frontier ,  JetBlue ,  Spirit  and United — together brought in $4.2 billion from seating fees in their domestic networks in 2022, according to Jay Sorensen, an airline ancillary revenue expert at IdeaWorksCompany.

Jordan said no decisions have been made on what kind of changes Southwest will ultimately make, but he said studies have yielded “interesting” results.

“Customer preferences do change over time,” Jordan said.

While details were scarce during Southwest’s earnings call, when asked whether Southwest would consider a separated cabin on its planes, Ryan Green, the carrier’s chief commercial officer said: “Curtains and things like that are a bit far afield from what Southwest Airlines is.”

Green added that the carrier is not considering charging for checked bags because “people choose Southwest Airlines because we don’t have bag fees.”

— CNBC’s  Phil LeBeau  contributed to this report.

More from CNBC:

• Honda to build $11 billion electric vehicle hub in Canada
• Comcast beats earnings estimates even as it sheds more broadband subscribers
• American Airlines swings to a loss, but tops estimates for Q2 forecast

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Hungary’s Orbán urges European conservatives, and Trump, toward election victories at CPAC event

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his address at the third Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at the third Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

Editor of the U.S. conservative website Human Events Jack Posobiec speaks at the third Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

The chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU) and Chairman of the CPAC Foundation Matt Schlapp delivers a speech at the third Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The two-day event is hosted from April 25 to 26 by the Center for Fundamental Rights of Hungary for the third consecutive year. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

Participants sing the national anthem during the opening ceremony for the third Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The two-day event is hosted from April 25 to 26 by the Center for Fundamental Rights of Hungary for the third consecutive year. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, addressing a conservative conference in Budapest on Thursday, said upcoming European and U.S. elections were a chance for right-wing forces to defeat the “progressive world spirit,” and encouraged former U.S. President Donald Trump to defend “his own truth” in his ongoing criminal trial .

Viktor Orbán, a right-wing populist and the European Union’s longest-serving leader, told supporters at the Conservative Political Action Conference Hungary that conservatives across the West, including himself and Trump, are under attack by a hegemonic liberal order.

EU elections in June and U.S. elections in November, Orbán said, will be a chance to usher in an “era of sovereignty” modeled on Hungary, which he called a “conservative island.”

“These elections coincide with major shifts in world political and geopolitical trends,” Orbán said. “The order of the world is changing, and we must usher our cause to triumph in the midst of these changes. Progressive liberals feel the danger. Replacing this era means replacing them.”

Orbán’s speech opened the third Hungarian iteration of CPAC, an event that this year features numerous far-right figures including U.S. media personality Jack Posobiec, Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

The two-day CPAC event in Hungary underscores U.S. conservatives’ growing embrace of the Hungarian leader , who has been accused of dismantling democratic institutions, overseeing widespread official corruption and cracking down on critical media.

Independent media outlets, including The Associated Press, were not granted accreditation to cover CPAC Hungary, and were encouraged to follow the event via a livestream. In an email, organizers said the conference is a “no woke zone,” and that coverage would be possible at “future events when and if your organization becomes significantly less woke.”

Orbán has depicted himself as a defender of European Christendom against Muslim migrants, progressives and the “LGBTQ lobby,” and has faced backlash after comments that he opposes Europe becoming a “ mixed-race society .”

But on Thursday, Orbán accused “liberal progressive” governments of employing tactics that critics say he himself has used in Hungary, and suggested that the 34 felony counts against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments were politically motivated.

“If necessary, they will use government agencies against us — as my American friends say, ‘weaponizing state institutions,’” Orbán said. “This happens to us Hungarians constantly in Brussels. This is what is happening to President Trump in America, and we encourage him to fight for his own truth not only in the elections, but also in the courts.”

Orbán, who is routinely hostile toward the EU, has sought for years to rally far-right European parties into a more cohesive political force in the bloc’s legislature. As campaigning for the June 6-9 polls heats up, he has called for a fundamental change in EU leadership.

But he has racked up domestic political headaches in recent months after several senior officials, including the president and justice minister, were forced to resign over a scandal involving a presidential pardon to a man implicated in a child sexual abuse case.

Emerging from the scandal was political newcomer Peter Magyar, a former insider within Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party who has shot to prominence through his allegations of entrenched corruption and cronyism among the country’s leaders.

Magyar this month mobilized around 100,000 anti-Orbán demonstrators in central Budapest, and announced his formation of a new party which will participate in EU elections.

Yet Orbán on Thursday struck an optimistic tone, telling CPAC attendees: “Make America great again, make Europe great again! Go Donald Trump, go European sovereigntists!”

“Let’s saddle up, put on our armor, head to the battlefield and begin the election battle!” he said.