
United in Defence: Visegrád Four Strengthen Regional Military Capability
‘Joint exercises and trust-building ensure that every inch of NATO territory, as well as each country’s own borders, can be defended.’

‘Joint exercises and trust-building ensure that every inch of NATO territory, as well as each country’s own borders, can be defended.’

Hungary’s new Defence Centre in Nyíregyháza aims to present the world of the military in a more engaging, hands-on way. Opened on Thursday, the facility offers interactive experiences designed to bring the armed forces closer to people of all ages.

Hungary’s military science has become an interdisciplinary field linking defence, technology, and civil academia, Deputy State Secretary János Czermann said at the opening of a new exhibition honouring soldier-academics at the National University of Public Service in Budapest.

‘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.’

Hungary’s largest military exercise since the regime change, Adaptive Hussars 2025, begins on 1 September. The nationwide drill will bring troop movements, heavy traffic, and loud helicopter flights, testing both national defence and allied cooperation.

Hungary’s armed forces have gained a unique new capability with the arrival of Special Operations Craft–Riverine (SOC-R) boats in Budapest. Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky hailed the vessels as a major step in military modernization.

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.

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.

Visitors interested in military history and technology can explore a wide range of exhibits on 21 June during Hungary’s Night of Museums, from secret WWII encryption tools to modern fighter jets and interactive defence tech displays.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has announced that, as part of the 2026 DOD budget, the US will be decreasing its foreign aid to Ukraine. What does this mean for the Russo–Ukrainian war? The Hungarian news channel HírTV has invited experts Konstatin Hidegkuti and György Dunda to discuss the matter.