Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that building a strong defense industry is in Hungary’s security interest, and investments in the sectors ensure the country a strategic advance.
Speaking in Brussels, on the sidelines of a meeting of EU defense ministers, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the government will set up a national defense innovation system connected to the international network. As part of ongoing ministry reshuffles, N7 National Defense Industry Innovation Holding Ltd will be moved from the technology and industry ministry to the defense ministry, he said. The company will be headed by outgoing Technology and Innovation Minister László Palkovics, Szalay-Bobrovniczky added. The restructuring has also involved changes and streamlining at the defense ministry, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. He said that Gáspár Maróth, the state secretary for defense developments, would leave his post as of November 15, with his tasks to be taken over by Gábor Gion, state secretary for strategic analysis. Szalay-Bobrovniczky praised the “timeless merit” of Maróth’s work as government commissioner and state secretary in preparing Hungary’s defense and army development scheme.