The defense minister has announced that Hungary’s military development scheme dubbed Zrínyi 2026 is on schedule.
Duiring an interview with Magyar Idők, Tibor Benkő said the Hungarian Armed Forces is capable of implementing the most modern technologies across all ranks of the military.
He added that the defense ministry wants to ensure that the military uses the highest possible proportion of domestically-produced technologies.
The minister highlighted that the Zrínyi 2026 scheme will modernize the troops’ weaponry, gear, electronic devices and uniforms.
He said the upgraded weaponry will be assembled at a factory in Kiskunfélegyháza and manufactured under a Czech license, adding that plans are also afoot to have the small arms ammunition produced in Hungary.
Minister Benkő also said that although Hungary’s rising employment should not favor the expansion of the military, the number of military applicants has been on the up since 2016.
“We have created and must preserve a career model in defense that will connect with future soldiers and help with retaining them,” he said.
“We cannot compete with the salary arrangements offered by all professions, but we can definitely compete in terms of predictability,” the minister added.
He said Hungary’s defense force has expanded its number of reservists to 7,500, adding that more and more young people were joining the army in this capacity.