Hungarian defence minister: Strong defence industry key to peace, which is needed in Europe

There is a need for peace in Europe, and for this a strong defence industry is key, the defence minister told a conference in Budapest on Friday.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Europe was facing new challenges even as its defence capabilities and defence industry capacities were ailing.

The European security system must be rebuilt and strengthened, he said at the conference organised at the Ludovika University of Public Service, adding that the EU could count on Hungary.

In the past decade, Hungary has leaned on international partnerships to rebuild its defence industry and improve its defence capabilities, he said.

Hungary’s efforts to strengthen its defence industry serve the whole of Europe, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

Hungary has brokered cooperations that resulted in plants such as Rheinmetall’s ammunition factory in central Hungary and vehicle manufacturing plant in Zalaegerszeg, in the south-west, the Airbus plant in Gyula, in south-east Hungary, turning out helicopter parts, and the weapon manufacturing part in Kiskunfélegyháza, in the south, he said.

Besides being committed to defence investments, the government is also focusing on personnel issues, including a programme to boost reservists, he said.

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