Germany and Hungary plan to significantly deepen their defence cooperation, with training, logistics, joint military exercises and German-made weapon systems among the areas identified for closer coordination. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius made the announcement after talks with his Hungarian counterpart, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi
The meeting marked a renewed push to strengthen defence relations between Berlin and Budapest after a period of limited high-level contacts. According to Ruszin-Szendi, a German defence minister had last visited Hungary in 2020, MTI reported.
“Berlin and Budapest will work more closely together again,” Pistorius said, arguing that stronger cooperation would benefit Hungary, Germany and NATO as a whole.
Leopard tanks and artillery among key areas of cooperation
The two ministers said they had identified several areas where military cooperation could be expanded, including logistics, training and joint exercises.
Pistorius also highlighted the possibility of Germany sharing expertise related to weapon systems already used by the Hungarian Armed Forces, including the Leopard family of tanks and the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer.
Hungary has relied heavily on German defence technology during the modernisation of its armed forces. Ruszin-Szendi said German equipment had played an important role in the development of Hungary’s military capabilities and its NATO heavy brigade.
The Hungarian defence minister added that cooperation could now be extended further, including into military mobility, logistics and the space industry. Budapest would also like to see more Hungarian companies integrated into defence-industry supply chains.
Ruszin-Szendi said the two sides wanted to make greater use of existing agreements and demonstrate that Hungary could be a reliable partner for its allies.
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Pistorius warns of growing threat from Russia
The German defence minister said closer European defence cooperation had become increasingly important because of what he described as a growing threat from Russia.
Pistorius argued that Moscow was increasingly testing NATO countries through hybrid operations and provocations, while stressing that the alliance had both the capabilities and determination to defend itself.
His remarks are consistent with comments he made in the German Bundestag on 23 September, when he said the security threat posed by Russia had intensified in recent weeks. The German government has pointed to incidents involving drones, attacks near NATO territory and suspected hybrid operations as signs of a deteriorating security environment.
Pistorius also reiterated Germany’s support for Ukraine, particularly in the field of air defence and preparations for the winter. At the same time, he said NATO’s response was designed to strengthen deterrence without escalating the conflict.
Hungary says it will not block Ukraine’s EU accession process
Ruszin-Szendi also addressed Hungary’s policy towards Ukraine. He said the Hungarian government would continue its policy of not sending troops or lethal military equipment to the war, while humanitarian and energy assistance would continue.
However, the minister also announced a notable development in Budapest’s position on Ukraine’s European integration.
According to Ruszin-Szendi, recent talks with Kyiv had produced progress on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. As a result, he said Hungary had decided not to continue blocking Ukraine’s EU accession procedure.
Budapest had still been blocking progress on parts of Ukraine’s accession negotiations earlier in September, linking its approval to guarantees concerning minority rights.
The Hungarian government nevertheless continues to oppose an accelerated accession process. Ruszin-Szendi said Ukraine should not be allowed to move ahead of candidate countries that have already spent years waiting to join the European Union.
“Thank you for coming back”
Referring to Hungary’s political changes following the April parliamentary election, Pistorius welcomed the renewed cooperation and said developments in Hungary could encourage people living under authoritarian or similar political systems.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming back,” the German minister said.
Ruszin-Szendi described the meeting as evidence that relations between Hungary and Germany were being rebuilt not only in defence policy but at a broader political level.
The Hungarian minister also stressed that Budapest remains committed to NATO and European defence cooperation, arguing that the country’s security depends both on a strong Hungarian military and on close cooperation with its allies.
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