Defense Minister Tibor Benkő has revealed that the national security cabinet has adopted Hungary’s new national security strategy, while the country’s military strategy is being drafted.
Outlining the national security strategy to senior military officials, Minister Benkő said its military chapters were focused on Europe’s defense capabilities and the strengthening of relations with France and the UK.
According to MTI, Minister Benkő said three more military attaché offices will open this year in addition to those opened last year at three embassies.
The minister said NATO is increasingly preoccupied with two major threats that it has identified: one from the east (Russia), the other from the south.
Minister Benkő said considering the security environment, the government is in the midst of creating a modern, capable army with loyal soldiers committed to serving their country. “This way we can guarantee the country’s security while contributing to international security,” he said.
Regarding the Western Balkans, Minister Benkő said peace in the region was of key importance for Hungary, which aims for a task-based system that is even stronger, more reliable and professional than the one operated so far.
Besides seeing to operations in the Western Balkans and the Baltic states, the Hungarian army has initiated establishing a central European multinational and regional command for special operations.
Finally, Minster Benkő noted NATO’s expectation that member states plough 20 percent of defense spending into developments, saying that Hungary had outperformed that goal.