Hungary’s armed forces ordered to step up readiness

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/magyarhonvedseg

Hungary’s defence minister on Wednesday instructed the country’s Armed Forces to step up its state of readiness.

“We are facing hitherto unseen security challenges” like the war in Hungary’s immediate neighbourhood and “the violent illegal migrants laying siege to the border”, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Facebook.

These challenges are being addressed throughout Europe, the minister said. The United Kingdom has announced the mobilisation of its armed forces, Slovakia has declared a state of emergency and Poland is boosting its military readiness, he said. “We must also be armed and ready,” he said.

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Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that in the interest of preserving Hungary’s peace he has instructed army chief Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi to prepare to step up troop readiness.

This means that troops will be involved in more exercises around the country in the coming weeks and months, he said. Training will be accelerated and more reservists will be called up, he added.

“We’re doing this in the interest of protecting our families and homes,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. “Hungary’s protection is the duty of the Hungarian Armed Forces.”