Opposition calls for comittee session over defence minister’s ‘controversial’ remarks
Deputies of the united opposition have called for an immediate session of parliament’s defence committee over “controversial” remarks by the defence minister concerning Hungary’s ability to protect itself without NATO.
Ágnes Vadai, deputy group leader of the Democratic Coalition, told an online press conference on Monday that Tibor Benkő’s remarks, made at a residents’ forum at the weekend, were in sharp contrast with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s position that the Hungarian military was able to ensure Hungary’s security without NATO’s assistance.
Vadai said
making conflicting remarks within the government was “shocking and impermissible”.
The session should also look into allegations concerning a government proposal to reintroduce mandatory military service in Hungary, Vadai said.
“While Orbán talks about strategic calmness, the government is in total chaos concerning the Russia-Ukraine war,”
Vadai insisted, adding that “Hungary’s security can only be warrented through a stable and strong membership in the European Union and NATO”.
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Fidesz said in response that the opposition “is trying to scare people by attacking the leadership of the Hungarian Armed Forces for campaign purposes”. The military, “which the national government has bolstered in recent years, is protecting our borders and aiding refugees. We again ask the opposition to stop behaving irresponsibly,” the statement said, insisting that the opposition wanted to “send Hungarian weapons and soldiers to Ukraine”.
Let’s get some facts straight. The Hungarian military with an acti.ve force of 30,000 and a reserve force of 20,000 is inadequate to defend the country. You need more troops. You need more combat troops. The current military is about 19% female (one of the highest percentage) of any armed force in the world. About 20% of the troops are old out of shape males. About 5% of the force is out of the country on NATO and UN missions. at any given time. Another 10% of the force is doing border guard duty trying to prevent migrants from entering the country. Weapons and equipment are badly out of date. Recently the government has placed orders for new modern weapons and equipment. Unfortunately, they are few in numbers and most of them will not see service for several more years. Hungary currently has only about 12 modern tanks, 12 modern fixed wing combat planes and about 24 modern helicopters. The rest of the weapons and equipment dates back to the 1980’s. Given the small size of the military and the lack of modern weapons this military would not last more than 24-72 hours in a 21st Century high intensity war. Hungary needs to build up the size of its military, increase military spending and speed up the acquisition of modern arms and equipment. Finally, the left is wrong as usual. Hungary cannot depend on others to defend the country. Hungary cannot expect other countries to come to its aid when Hungary for decades has refused to spend adequately on its national defense.
So Hor, let me get this straight… Hungary can’t defend itself but Hungary can’t depend on others to help defend itself. This sounds really bad for Hungary but then we are talking about Hungary. As I recall Hungary wanted to and did join NATO in order to join the club where everyone looked out for the other. Now Hungary doesn’t want to play by NATO’s rules but I suspect if the bear decides to take a bite Hungary will expect NATO to swat the bear. Seems more and more Hungary is best at everything except for anything it’s not good at which when one looks closely is everything. Good luck there.