Hungarian territorial reservists and troops from the Ohio National Guard are currently conducting joint live-fire training exercises at the Bakonykúti military range in Fejér County. The two-week operation, named Valiant Panther 2025, is designed to sharpen combat readiness and deepen long-standing defence cooperation between the United States and Hungary.
Brigadier General László Drót, commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Territorial and Recruitment Command, reported that the training involves a full Hungarian company and a US platoon. Following over a week of preparatory drills, participants have now reached the phase where they can safely and effectively execute live-fire exercises. Individual marksmanship drills are scheduled for Wednesday, while coordinated group fire drills will take place on Thursday. In total, 105 personnel are taking part in the exercise, including 30 from the US side.
According to General Drót, this joint exercise is part of a longer-term plan. For the past two to three years, the Hungarian military has been preparing for a validation exercise set to take place in the US next year. During this event, Hungarian soldiers will integrate into a designated unit of the Ohio National Guard, operating at the platoon level alongside American companies. The integration is part of a broader initiative to increase Hungary’s participation in international missions and military cooperation.
He emphasized that the current training is not just about tactical coordination, but also about enhancing language skills and building capacity for multinational collaboration. Commanders on both sides have already participated in preparatory courses in Hungary and the US, and over the next year, further training will focus on how Hungarian forces can operate effectively within US units.
Major General David B Johnson of the Ohio National Guard praised the exercise as an excellent opportunity to deepen US–Hungarian military relations. He noted that beyond the differences in weapons and language, the fundamentals of unit and squad-level operations are the same. Johnson highlighted the enthusiasm of his soldiers for the Hungarian deployment, particularly as the relationship with the Hungarian Defence Forces has lasted more than 30 years—one of the longest-standing ties in the National Guard’s State Partnership Programme.
Valiant Panther 2025 not only prepares both forces for future joint operations but also reinforces a transatlantic bond built on trust, cooperation, and shared commitment to regional security.
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