
South Korea’s Defence Revolution
‘The debut of a Korean hypersonic missile prototype was one of the exhibition’s highlights, placing Seoul into an elite club.’

‘The debut of a Korean hypersonic missile prototype was one of the exhibition’s highlights, placing Seoul into an elite club.’

Hungarian Gripens scrambled from Šiauliai, Lithuania, on 25 September to intercept Russian jets near Latvia. NATO praised Hungary’s role in protecting Baltic airspace, even as Budapest faces criticism within the Alliance for its stance on Ukraine.

‘Well-documented 18th-century operations shed light on and explain many aspects of the secret of the Hungarian army’s successes in the 10th century: even with limited numbers, a well-organized team can achieve significant success in enemy territory against a numerically superior opponent.’

On the night of 8 August, the Baltic Air Defence Readiness Unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces was called on its their first live Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) scramble, after an unidentified aircraft not willing to engage in radio communications with air traffic control entered the intranational air space over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft was identified as Russian, and was successfully captured by Hungarian fighter jets.

‘The EU accession of a country financially subjugated to Brussels would have far-reaching implications for the functioning of the Union. If Ukraine were to join the EU as a Member State, it would gain veto power in the Council, a Commissioner in the European Commission, and dozens of MEPs in the European Parliament—amounting to significant voting influence within EU institutions.’

Hungary has completed its acquisition of Airbus H225M helicopters, finalizing a 16-aircraft fleet that boosts national defence, mobility, and international operability. Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky called it a leap from promise to reality.

‘Bound by shared sacrifice, common values, and the enduring love of homeland, generations of Hungarian infantrymen—past, present, and future—will continue to stand united. In a world of uncertainty, their example reminds us that honour, patriotism, and national sovereignty are not abstract ideals—they are living legacies that must be defended and cherished.’

Hungary is expanding its military muscle as Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced the addition of 56 Gidrán combat vehicles, raising the fleet to 106. Developed jointly with Türkiye, these versatile armoured vehicles boast advanced protection and weaponry.

Hungarian military doctor Péter Vekszler has been appointed Chief Medical Officer at NATO’s SHAPE headquarters, one of the alliance’s highest medical positions. He will serve in the role for three years starting 21 June as a brigadier general.

The 4iG Group and the Hungarian state-owned N7 Holding are jointly establishing Hungary’s first defence industry holding company with both state and private ownership. The new company is expected to boost competitiveness and increase defence exports.