News in Brief Twice as many soldiers are helping coronavirus protection efforts during second wave Nov 27, 2020 The defense ministry has announced that twice as many soldiers are helping coronavirus protection efforts during the second wave of the pandemic compared to the first wave in the spring.
News in Brief Hungary to buy advanced missile system components from United States Aug 13, 2020 The one billion dollar purchase within the framework of the US Foreign Military Sales program will be completed by September 30 this year.
News in Brief 3,000 Hungarians set to join army reserve scheme Jul 03, 2020 The defense minister has revealed that 800 Hungarians have so far applied for the army reserve scheme.
News in Brief Hungarian troops stationed in Iraq will continue to carry out their mission Jan 07, 2020 The defense ministry said their experts will continue to analyze the situation with a view to guaranteeing the security of Hungarian soldiers.
News in Brief Hungarian government to double number of soldiers patrolling the borders Jan 06, 2020 Szilárd Németh said Hungarian soldiers had been patrolling the borders with police officers since 2015 and will continue to do so.
News in Brief President Áder visits Hungarian troops in Kosovo Dec 11, 2019 President János Áder has visited Hungarian troops stationed in Kosovo, marking the 20th anniversary of Hungary’s involvement in NATO’s peacekeeping mission in the country.
News in Brief FM: Hungary will increase number of troops serving in NATO missions by a third Nov 21, 2019 The foreign minister revealed that Hungary will be raising its total number of soldiers serving in NATO missions from 499 to 669.
News in Brief New military commands to be established in Hungary Oct 28, 2019 Following a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, Defense Minister Tibor Benkő revealed that Hungary is in the process of establishing several different military commands in the country.
Blog Hungary hosts international military exercise focused on responding to illegal migration – still one of Europe’s gravest threats Oct 18, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács Members of the Hungarian police and armed forces were accompanied by hundreds of foreign participants for the “Cooperative Security 2019” military exercise at two locations in rural Hungary. The goal? Strengthen cooperation to help keep the peace in countries from which people are forced to flee, and protect and preserve our own homeland.
News in Brief Hungary hosts military exercises aimed at tackling migrant crisis Oct 17, 2019 Tibor Benkő said illegal migration continues to be one of the biggest threats facing Europe. This is proven by the number of countries taking part in the Cooperative Security 19 (COOPSEC19) exercise, he added.
News in Brief Hungarian Armed Forces set up regional special operation command Oct 09, 2019 Defense Minister Tibor Benkő said the R-SOCC will be tasked with ensuring that troops serving in central European countries maintain peace.
News in Brief Airbus helicopters performing test flights for Hungarian army Sep 04, 2019 The first two Airbus light helicopters commissioned by the Hungarian army are currently performing test flights at the manufacturer’s Donauwörth base in Germany.
News in Brief Hungary to purchase US anti-aircraft missiles Aug 29, 2019 The US State Department has authorized the sale of 180 AIM–120C-7 AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles to Hungary.
News in Brief DM: Hungary is in need of a modern army capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century Jul 05, 2019 The Defense Minister has said Hungary is in need of a modern army capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century and guaranteeing the country’s security.
News in Brief Military personnel to help protect southern border Jun 03, 2019 Hungary’s Chief Security Advisor has said the military personnel taking part in the defense of the southern border will enable the reallocation of various police units from the border.
News in Brief Hungary takes delivery of new German tanks May 17, 2019 Hungary took delivery of its first Leopard tanks and artillery piece ordered from Germany, to be showcased at next week’s Day of National Defense on May 21st
News in Brief Hungary to purchase missile defense system May 06, 2019 Defence Minister Tibor Benkő said Hungary is currently preparing a tender for the purchase of a missile defense system
News in Brief Hungarian army receives new EOD equipment Apr 25, 2019 Defense Minister Tibor Benkő said EOD duties remain an important part of the army’s tasks, given the large number of unexploded ordnance still being found in the country
Blog Happy birthday, NATO! Hungary and the U.S. celebrate by signing DCA Apr 08, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács The world’s most successful military alliance just turned 70, and that means we have another important anniversary to celebrate. It’s been 20 years since Hungary, along with the Czech Republic and Poland, joined NATO and secured our places in the alliance, a great moment in our long-desired return to Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community.
News in Brief Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia create regional military alliance Feb 15, 2019 Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia have signed a letter of intent to create a Regional Special Operations Component Command (R-SOCC) in Hungary
News in Brief Soldiers and police officers receive pay rises Jan 03, 2019 Hungarian soldiers and police officers' wages have risen as part of a program to increase their salaries by 50 percent
News in Brief Hungary's defense ministry signs deal with Airbus for new air defense system Dec 21, 2018 The ministry said the Hungarian army will be able to protect important facilities and the country’s population against airborne objects, including aircraft, helicopters, missiles and drones
News in Brief FM: Hungary is ready to take on a larger role in NATO missions Oct 26, 2018 Minister Szijjártó said that the government would soon start negotiations concerning the future role of 77 Hungarian troops that have recently returned from the United Nations’ Cyprus mission
News in Brief Hungarians will always honor the memory of soldiers fallen in their country, says official Aug 27, 2018 State Secretary of Defence Szilárd Németh said it is a special duty of the Hungarian government to preserve the memory of war heroes and ensure that the fallen soldiers should not remain buried in unmarked graves
News in Brief Brigadier General Sándor: NATO is satisfied with the Hungarian army’s special operational groups Aug 13, 2018 Hungarian peacekeepers have a new role in Kosovo to be a reserve force which can continuously be deployed, anywhere in the region
News in Brief Hungary’s military development scheme dubbed Zrínyi 2026 is on schedule, says defense minister Jul 30, 2018 Tibor Benkő said the Hungarian Armed Forces is capable of implementing the most modern technologies across all ranks of the military
News in Brief Prime Minister NATO summit: PM Orbán says that Hungary is one of the world’s safest countries Jul 13, 2018 Hungary supports the US president’s assertion that European countries should channel more reasonable levels of funding towards their armed forces and security needs, the prime minister said
News in Brief Hungary to contribute more to NATO’s defense efforts Jul 12, 2018 The foreign minister said Hungary has embarked on a comprehensive military reform with a view to producing a regionally competitive army
News in Brief Hungary supports all initiatives that boost the EU’s defense capacity Jun 26, 2018 The Minister of Defense said in respect of national sovereingty, the joint funding of anti-terrorism operations and stabilisation, and avoiding “duplicate operations” with NATO are priorities in defense cooperation
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán says Hungary’s defense is “not the task of NATO or the European Union but our task” May 17, 2018 During the inauguration of the new Chief of the General Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces in Parliament on Wednesday, the prime minister said that a strong Hungary cannot exist without a strong military
News in Brief General Benkő: A strong army is necessary to ensure the security of the Hungarian people May 16, 2018 General Benkő said he accepted Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s invitation to become minister of Defence because he feels the support of the government, the prime minister and his soldiers
News in Brief Hungary cannot be a sovereign state without combat-worthy Hungarian defence forces, says minister Feb 23, 2018 “In order to be able to preserve our Hungarian identity and Hungary, we must build the Hungarian Defence Forces with active care, attention and constructive creativity," István Simicskó said
News in Brief Hungary’s defense forces plan to buy 40 new helicopters Jan 15, 2018 The defense and armed forces development scheme, dubbed Zrínyi 2026, and the increased budget will enable the acquisition of state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that the army maintains 21st century capabilities
News in Brief Hungary aims to have 30,000 soldiers on active duty by 2026 Jan 12, 2018 An increased budget will be available for a larger staff force, and the defense budget will reach 2 percent of GDP, or 1 trillion HUF, by 2024
Blog Security and defense among top priorities makes Hungary one of the world’s safest countries Jan 05, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács In a Europe that has experienced acts of terrorism with increasing frequency in recent years, Hungary stands out as an island of security at the heart of the continent. The reasons are many, but important among them is the political will to keep it like that. In addition to the border fence securing an otherwise vulnerable stretch of the European Union’s southeastern border, the Orbán Government bolstered defense forces through the Zrinyi 2026 program.
News in Brief Hungary allocates 100 billion HUF to improve military capabilities Jan 03, 2018 Hungary’s government aims to raise the annual defense budget, which currently amounts to 428 billion HUF, to NATO’s target of 2 percent of GDP by 2024
News in Brief Hungary to resume training of military pilots and air traffic controllers Dec 22, 2017 The government is pushing forward with the development of the Hungarian Defence Forces. The first phase of the Zrínyi 2026 National Defence and Armed Forces Development Program has already been launched
News in Brief Hungary to increase its military reserves to 20,000 by 2026 Oct 02, 2017 Hungary’s military have diminished since the 1989-1990 political change. However, it will improve with the implementation of the Zrínyi 2026 scheme
News in Brief Hungary to modernize air force Aug 16, 2017 Four Zlin light training and reconnaissance aircraft have already been purchased to replace outdated Yak-52 training aircraft, and new aircraft have been commissioned
News in Brief Russia‘s Vertolety Rossii overhauls Hungary's Mi-17 helicopters Jul 26, 2017 Hungary's Ministry of Defense has revealed that their Mi-17 helicopters were officially put back in service on Tuesday
News in Brief Hungary organizes war games for training and exercise programs Jul 13, 2017 President János Áder said the war games would contribute to more effective international operations in which Hungary participates in a way that further enhances its prestige
News in Brief Hungarian army contingent arrives in Estonia while 166 migrants apprehended within a week Jul 04, 2017 Personnel mainly from the Hungarian Defence Forces 25th Klapka György Infantry Brigade (Tata) were transported by a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft to their new Estonian barracks on Sunday
Blog NATO is shifting gears and Hungary has a plan to stay apace May 31, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács Late last week, leaders of the 28 members of NATO gathered in Brussels to send, in the words of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, a strong message of the unity of the transatlantic alliance and its commitment to collective security. NATO finds itself in an increasingly challenging environment due to the rise of complex security threats that require responsive capabilities. Grappling with terrorism, migration, cybercrime and more, every one of the member states must step up its game.
News in Brief István Simicskó attends GLOBSEC security policy conference Apr 15, 2016 Minister of Defense István Simicskó is this year's GLOBSEC 2016 security policy conference in Bratislava, April 15. The main topics of the three-day event are the migrant crisis, the crisis in the Middle East, the Islamic State and the war in Syria as well as the effects of Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and Syria and the lead-up to the NATO Summit in Warsaw.
News in Brief The CIA has no information on threats against Hungary Apr 06, 2016 On Wednesday morning, Bakondi György, Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, told public television channel M1 that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has no information on specific terrorist threats to Hungary.
News in Brief With illegal crossings on the rise, reinforcements to the Hungary-Serbia border underway Apr 04, 2016 Due to the increased number of illegal border violations in the last few days, in response to a request from the Ministry of the Interior, the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) have started the further physical reinforcement of the temporary border barrier in certain sectors along the Hungarian–Serbian border. In order to finish the work as soon as possible, more HDF units were deployed into the area at the weekend.
News in Brief With increased threat level in Europe, government seeks agreement on counter-terrorism planning Apr 04, 2016 A five-party consultation was held on Friday at the Ministry of Interior regarding the Government’s counter-terrorism action plan which will be debated by the Cabinet on Monday, and in the wake of this debate, there will be another consultation with the parliamentary parties. After the Friday consultation, Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said: there were no fundamental disagreements on professional issues, and an agreement may well be reached.
News in Brief Hungary is taking the terrorism threat seriously Apr 04, 2016 Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has confirmed that the Hungarian government is taking the threat of terrorism seriously, and that it has enacted the necessary measures. In an interview given to the public media in Washington on Friday, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction that Hungary is regarded as advanced from a nuclear energy point of view, and that its safety system is deemed to be outstanding.
News in Brief Hungary boosts security measures in wake of attacks in Brussels Mar 24, 2016 Following Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Operations Unit, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Hungarian M1 television that “Hungary is maintaining all the current security measures at its borders, or raising them by one level”.
News in Brief Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér announces increase of terror alert to level II Mar 22, 2016 Following an assessment of the terrorist attacks committed in Brussels on Tuesday morning, Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér announced the introduction of a Level II terror alert.
News in Brief Protection still needed for the EU’s borders Mar 22, 2016 On Tuesday György Bakondi, chief security advisor to the Prime Minister, told public television channel M1 that, as migrants are changing their routes into Europe, it is still necessary to protect the EU’s borders.
News in Brief Hungary’s Borders are Safe Mar 16, 2016 At a conference of Hungarian local governments, Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér said that Hungary’s borders are safe. Mayors attending the conference organised by the Association of Hungarian Cities with County Rank (MJVSZ) accepted a political statement against mandatory resettlement quotas.
News in Brief Hungarian Government Declares State of Emergency Due to Mass Migration Mar 09, 2016 “The Government has declared a nationwide state of emergency due to mass migration”, Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér announced in Budapest on Wednesday.
News in Brief Conference on the Migrant Crisis Mar 02, 2016 On 2 March, a daylong conference entitled “Migration – Conflict or Cooperation?” was organized in Stefánia Palace, Budapest by the Scientific Research Centre of the General Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The patron of the conference is Minister of Defence Dr. István Simicskó.
News in Brief It Would be a Sin if the Military Could Not be Deployed to Handle the Migrant Crisis Mar 01, 2016 According to the Chief of Defence of the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF), it would be a sin if the military could not be deployed when the police prove to be unable to handle the migrant crisis.
News in Brief The Hungarian Defence Forces Conduct Aerial Surveillance as of Wednesday to Assist Border Protection Feb 25, 2016 - Ministry of Defence The Government of Hungary is committed to protect the borders of the Schengen Area, and is doing its best to safeguard the security of Hungarian citizens.
News in Brief Hungarian and Serbian Ministers of Interior Discuss Joint Action to Combat Illegal Immigration Feb 22, 2016 - Ministry of Interior/MTI Hungarian Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér and his Serbian counterpart Nebojša Stefanović met in Röszke to discuss joint action to combat illegal immigration.
News in Brief The Government Will Not Compromise the Security of Hungarians Feb 18, 2016 Speaking at a forum held in Budapest on Wednesday, 17 February, the Minister of Defence stated that “the Government will not compromise the security of Hungarians, therefore its aim is to get enough room for maneuvering in the fight against terrorism”.
News in Brief Hungary Welcomes NATO’s Maritime Mission Feb 12, 2016 - Ministry of Defence The Meetings of NATO Defence Ministers took place in Brussels on 10–11 February. Hungary was represented at the event by Deputy Minister Tamás Vargha, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence. The most important task of the meeting was preparation for the July Summit of Heads of State and Government of NATO member states to be held in Warsaw.
News in Brief The Hungarian Defense Forces Can Also Assist in Case of Terrorist Threats Jan 13, 2016 On Tuesday, 12 January, on the initiative of Minister of Defence Dr. István Simicskó, the representatives of parliamentary groups held discussions in the Ministry of Defence about the legislative amendments to be made in the interest of strengthening Hungary’s defence and security and about the tasks of the Hungarian Defence Forces.
News in Brief Reinstating Military Conscription is not Necessary Jan 11, 2016 In response to a statement by Sweden’s foreign minister, on Sunday Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister György Bakondi told public television channel M1 that the Government of Hungary does not see the necessity for reintroduction of military conscription. Keeping the manpower of the reserve force at appropriate levels is important however, he stressed.
News in Brief The Hungarian Defence Forces and the Security of the Country Must Be Strengthened Jan 06, 2016 Due to changing security challenges, Minister of Defence Dr. István Simicskó has initiated five-party talks to be conducted in the Ministry of Defence on 12 January 2016.