Strong defence industry is in Hungary’s interest, defence minister says

Building a strong defence industry is in Hungary’s security interest, investments in the sectors ensure the country a strategic advance, the defence minister said on Tuesday in Brussels, on the sidelines of a meeting of EU defence ministers.

The government will set up a national defence innovation system connected to the international network, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told MTI.

As part of ongoing ministry reshuffles, N7 National Defence Industry Innovation Holding Ltd will be moved from the technology and industry ministry to the defence ministry, he said. The company will be headed by outgoing Technology and Innovation Minister László Palkovics, Szalay-Bobrovniczky added.

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The restructuring has also involved changes and streamlining at the defence ministry, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. He said that Gáspár Maróth, the state secretary for defence developments, would leave his post as of 15 November, with his tasks to be taken over by Gábor Gion, state secretary for strategic analysis.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky praised the “timeless merit” of Maróth’s work as government commissioner and state secretary in preparing Hungary’s defence and army development scheme.