Hungary aims to become defence industry hub in Central Europe, defence minister says

The government aims to make Hungary central Europe’s top defence industry hub for production and Research and Development (R and D), according to a defence ministry statement.

On Saturday, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky visited the state-of-the-art vehicle test track in Zalaegerszeg alongside the minister of technology and industry, László Palkovics, and the minister of culture and innovation, János Csák.

Palkovics called the test track one of the world’s fastest developing innovation ecosystems. As well as providing a research backbone for Hungary’s car industry, the test track is now being used by universities, too, while two multinationals are building their own research centres at the site. Further, German defence contractor Rheinmetall is building its new factory here, the minister noted.

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Speaking in front of the site where Rheinmetall is building its factory, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the knowledge and technology at the Zalazone were central to the development of Hungary’s armed forces.

Csák said the Zalaegerszeg site had become a hub where universities, private companies, state developers and research institutes can work together. The results of innovation and research provide a springboard for the creation and development of Hungarian companies that can then enter the international market and also grow their role in supplying the domestic car industry and other industries, he added.