Hungary to buy USD 1 billion missile defence system
Hungary will buy an anti-aircraft system dubbed National Advance Surface-to-Air System from the United States, under a declaration of intent signed by Defence Minister Tibor Benkő and US Ambassador to Hungary David Cornstein.
The purchase forming part of the US Foreign Military Sales programme will be completed by September 30 this year, the document said.
At the event, Benkő said
the missile system will mainly be used as a deterrent, as well as to increase security and for training purposes.
The aim is to create capabilities for ensuring the safety of Hungarians, he said.
Cornstein said
the deal would be the biggest procurement in the history of Hungary-US defence cooperation.
Used by several countries, the anti-aircraft system is compatible with NATO’s standards, he said.
Cornstein praised Hungarian experts for the thorough vetting conducted ahead of the purchase. They weighed the offers of several countries and several companies within the US, he said.
The ambassador said that
hopefully, Hungary will never have to deploy missiles in conflict.
The Embassy praised the Hungarian government’s commitment to develop its armed forces by buying the “world’s most advanced mid-range air defense system, which will enhance Hungary’s ability to provide collective and self-defense.”
“This procurement will further deepen the excellent security cooperation between our two countries. This, together with the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), completed in 2019, have been major achievements in recent years that improve the long-term security of both countries and the region,”
the embassy said.
Source: MTI