Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky held talks at the Pentagon on the procurement of HIMARS rocket artillery systems and missiles, the minister told public media on Saturday, adding that the project could be implemented over a three-to-five-year acquisition period following approval from the US Congress.
Speaking on the flight home after the White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday, the minister recalled that during the discussions in Washington, the political obstacles previously imposed on Hungary under the Biden administration in the fields of defence and military procurement had now been removed. He noted that the former Democratic government had, for political reasons, failed to fulfil even certain contracts for which payments had already been made.
During the current talks, however, the Trump administration made it clear that Hungary is now free to acquire technologies and equipment in any area where there is a need. ‘We have a list—a ten-year defence development plan—that outlines our planned acquisitions across various fields,’ Szalay-Bobrovniczky explained.
According to the minister, there are several defence capabilities where American solutions remain the most reliable and advanced, including rocket artillery. When asked whether HIMARS is included in Hungary’s procurement plans, he replied: ‘Yes, HIMARS is a capability that would extend Hungary’s strategic defence deterrence network much further than it currently reaches. It would represent significant added value.’
Referring to earlier reports from 2023 suggesting that Hungary might purchase 20–24 rocket artillery units and around 100 missiles, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said those figures were not exact but realistic in scale. He emphasized that such procurements always require congressional approval, and even once that is obtained, the delivery process remains lengthy.
‘HIMARS is a capability that would extend Hungary’s strategic defence deterrence network much further than it currently reaches’
The minister said preliminary talks had already begun earlier, and he personally held consultations at the Pentagon during his Washington visit. He estimated the process to take between three and five years, noting that global demand for the HIMARS system is extremely high, which makes delivery schedules uncertain.
As for the costs, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said no exact figure could yet be determined, as the entire project would be highly complex. The expenses would include not only the price of the equipment itself but also infrastructure development, training, recruitment, and other related expenditures. Exchange rates, timing, and delivery schedules would all influence the final cost, he added.
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