Commemoration Ceremony Held in Buda Castle on the Day of Defense Forces

“When we remember our past together, we recommit ourselves to continuing the millennia-long journey in defense of the Hungarian nation,” said the Minister of Defense on Tuesday in Budapest, on the occasion of the Day of Defense Forces, at a central ceremony held in the building of the Ministry of Defense at the Buda Castle.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recalled: “Buda is a symbol of Hungarian sovereignty, where free Hungary has decided on issues concerning its own destiny for centuries. Buda has risen and fallen with Hungary, it has been a treasure capital and a fortress of empires in the foothills, and fate has meant that we have often had to take it back,” he said.

On May 21, 1849, Hungarian soldiers managed to retake Buda Castle after a three-week siege. To commemorate this, since 1992, May 21 has been the Day of Defense.

He recalled that it was 175 years ago that the Hungarian flag was again raised on Buda Castle by the soldiers who fought for Hungarian freedom. “Today, we must defend our sovereignty in an age of danger, we must preserve Hungary’s peace, we must stay out of the war raging in our neighborhood”, the Minister said. In his view, “in these times we must be particularly careful not to allow anything to be imposed on us that would violate the fundamental interests of our nation,” and in this respect defense has a particularly important role to play.

He highlighted the achievements of recent years: a high-tech army is being built, the development of the military is on a historic scale, and the defense budget has exceeded 2 percent of GDP. He recalled that the defense industry factories that are now operational and productive were created almost from scratch: Lynx tanks are now being built in Zalaegerszeg (western Hungary), small arms are being manufactured in Kiskunfélegyháza (southern Hungary), Airbus helicopter parts are being produced in Gyula (southeastern Hungary), and an ammunition factory is being built in Várpalota (western Hungary). In Kaposvár (southwestern Hungary), the Gidrán combat vehicle is being integrated, and the first vehicle will soon be produced in Győr (northwestern Hungary).

New air, transport and helicopter fleets, new air defense and drone capabilities are also being built,

self-propelled artillery and armored fighting vehicles are being reintroduced, the development of a nationwide area defense reserve system is starting and the Defense Forces are fulfilling their tasks in international missions.

On the occasion of the event, President Tamás Sulyok also sent a video message to the Hungarian Defense Forces.

“True to your oath, you are the guarantors of Hungary’s independence and the security of the Hungarian people. You bear your duty with humility, with many years of training. May you always be exemplary leaders, also for future generations. Your work is both a model and a call to action. Even in peacetime, the country needs dedicated soldiers. Thank you for your dedication, thank you for your commitment, and may you be worthy successors to the national defense of more than 175 years.”

To mark the Day of Defense, the Bálna Defense Center in Budapest is also organizing a family day at the weekend. According to the event’s Facebook page, activities will start in the morning on Saturday and Sunday, and the event will be free to attend. Among the programs will be a hand-to-hand and canine firefighting demonstration.

The National Defense Sports Association and the Defense Forces’ Sports Center will be on site both days with military strength tests, laser shooting and sporting demonstrations.

On the banks of the Danube, a mine-clearing boat will await young and old. In Nehru Park, children can enjoy craft activities. In the park, the Defense Forces will also be presenting a vehicle show. A military obstacle course and a climbing wall will be set up in the basement of the defense center, but there will also be a go-kart track for children with small “Lynx vehicles,” a laser combat arena and a World War II themed escape room.

Via MTI, Featured image: Honvedelem.hu