Due to the protracting war, which may further escalate, the security and defence of Hungary are now a top priority. The war necessitates the Hungarian Defence Forces to increase the time allocated for the training and preparation of soldiers. Therefore, the government is establishing that, by decree, members of the Hungarian Defence Forces should expect increased demand, exercises, and training during a time of war, the Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday, 20 June.

In its statement to MTI, the ministry wrote that

the fundamental task of the Hungarian Defence Forces is the military defence of Hungary’s independence, territorial integrity, and borders;

as well as the fulfilment of collective defence and peacekeeping tasks in accordance with international agreements, and in line with the rules of international law.

The Hungarian Defence Forces demand unwavering loyalty, exemplary behaviour worthy of the vocation, courageous commitment, high readiness, and discipline from the soldiers who perform active service. The statement also said that members of the Hungarian Defence Forces are obliged—as per the instructions of the competent commanding officer—to be available, serve, and perform overtime duty for the purpose of fulfilling their service obligations.

A service schedule can be introduced for members of the armed forces during basic training, military exercises, practices, professional training, courses, field training exercises, as well as domestic or international exercises executed in Hungary. The order can be given verbally and of immediate effect—as stated in the press release.

The government decree on the operational regulations of the Hungarian Defence Forces in emergency situations was published in the Hungarian Gazette and came into effect immediately, the press release added.

Hungary’s security is guaranteed by a strong national defence force and a strong NATO, Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky claimed in a statement of his own, following the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, Belgium on Friday, 16 June.

The minister explained that the main objective of the Brussels conference was to finalise the preparations for the new strategy by the alliance before the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania in July. He recalled that a decision was made a year ago in Madrid to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, marking a new era in deterrence and collective defence. Hungary has performed well in this regard, with the establishment of a multinational battlegroup within its territory and the deployment of a multinational division headquarters in Székesfehérvár, demonstrating the country’s commitment to the alliance.

Hungary will continue to take part in carrying out NATO tasks and support common solutions, the Minister of Defence emphasised. He also went on to mention the efforts to strengthen the transatlantic and European defence industry base, which is aligned with the Hungarian government’s intentions to solidify the Hungarian defence industry. However, in addition to reinforcing the eastern flank, threats coming from the south and other directions should not be ignored either, he pointed out.

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