"We are now on the good side of history, we are a free and independent nation, and for the past 12 years, we have been giving priority to national interests," he said.Continue reading
The Hungarian network of military diplomacy is “our national treasure,” the Minister of Defense said on Tuesday in Budapest at the annual meeting of the attachés of the defense, military, and air forces.
At the event held at the Military National Security Service (KNBSZ), Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed that the world has not become a safer place, and in this changing world, military diplomacy has become even more important.
The Minister noted that as a result of the war in neighboring Ukraine, not only the military but also economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations have changed significantly. He reiterated that Hungary – like the largest defense alliance, NATO – is “on the side of peace.”
The government is doing its utmost to ensure that Hungary stays out of this war and is able to deal with the indirect consequences of war, such as the energy crisis and war inflation. This is why the government decided to introduce an extra profit tax, from which the defense fund will also receive a share.
The minister said that the war situation in Ukraine was likely to continue in the long term, but other challenges, such as illegal migration and terrorism, needed to be addressed in the meantime as well.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that it is important that Hungary was a committed and recognized member of NATO. He then cited some of Hungary’s important contributions to the alliance, such as the Hungarian battle group that was deployed in the country after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
He said that US troops are already stationed in Hungary, and Italy, Turkey, and Montenegro have also offered troops to the country. The command of the multinational division in Székesfehérvár has also been activated. And from August, the Hungarian airforce will be protecting the Baltic airspace for the third time now.
He also stressed that Hungary has committed to a defense budget of 2 percent of its GDP. This will be achieved as early as 2023, Bobrovniczky said.
One of the most important safeguards of Hungary’s sovereignty is a well-equipped, well-trained, well-organized, volunteer-based, large and effective military force, the defense minister emphasized. To this end, and continuing the strategic procurement programs launched several years ago, old Soviet military equipment is being replaced by advanced NATO-compatible equipment. At the same time, the development of the defense industry is of strategic importance, he added.
The military equipment is operated by Hungarian soldiers who chose the protection of their homeland as their calling.
Finally, the Minister of Defense thanked the attachés for their work on behalf of the government.
via MTI
Featured photo by Zoltán Máthé/MTI