military

Orbán: it is time to revive the military spirit within us

Viktor Orbán military

Hungarians need a competent military that can guarantee peace and serve as a deterrent, “because those who won’t have strength won’t have truth, either”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Budapest on Saturday.

Addressing an oath-taking ceremony of volunteer soldiers and the inauguration of Lynx armoured infantry fighting vehicles, Orbán said it was time to “revive the military spirit within us”, arguing that a nation incapable of doing so “will certainly fail in the future”. “There are nations that have already begun making preparations and we can’t fall behind in this, either,” the prime minister said. “We can’t bury our head in the sand like an ostrich,” Orbán said, adding that “if things keep going as they are, the sanctions will shake Europe”. He said it also appeared that Europe would have to prepare itself for a protracted war.

Though the swearing in of 250 volunteer troops “is reason enough to be happy, we need a few more battalions like this”, Orbán said. He added, at the same time, that the inauguration of the Lynx combat vehicles marked an important milestone of Hungary’s ongoing military upgrade. The Hungarian nation was known for centuries for its military virtues, Orbán said, adding that Hungarians were at their best when “there is an obstacle to overcome”.

“We are now living in a time when we have good reason to discover threats at the country’s borders,” he said, noting the war in Ukraine and the flow of weapons from the West to the frontlines. Also,

Hungary’s borders are under siege by groups of armed illegal migrants, he added.

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Read alsoHungarian major general ends term as KFOR head

Orbán noted that the primary task in the past had been to reorganise the Hungarian state. The economy has now made up lost ground, the crime rate has been pushed down, public safety has been restored and public administration renewed, but there is still more to be done when it comes to the Hungarian military, he said.

Hungary is building a modern military because the country needs soldiers who want to serve their country as well as effective, modern weapons, Orbán said. Because the government wants people to be able to move between military service and civilian life, the government has made changes to the institution of voluntary service, the prime minister noted. Volunteers are the bridge between civilians and the military, he said, arguing that they were the soldiers whom the public encounters most often.

Orbán added that more recruitment campaigns will be launched in December. Concerning the inauguration of the Lynx armoured vehicles, he said the military industry was being brought to Hungary, noting that the government was taking steps to develop this sector.

Hungary military development
Read also Hungary defence industry set to be among region’s best by 2030

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the defence minister, said that the Lynx combat vehicle was one of the most modern pieces of military equipment available.

Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, commander of the military, welcomed the government’s support for the military and that companies and investors like German defence giant Rheinmetall were supplying the Hungarian army with 21st-century technology. He also thanked those who were committing themselves to voluntary military service.

Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall’s CEO, said it was advantageous that Hungary had a government that took care of its military. He said it was clear that the new soldiers were committed to defending their country, Europe and NATO. According to the defence ministry, Rheinmetall is set to deliver 46 Lynx combat vehicles to Hungary by 2023. It will deliver 172 by 2029, which will be manufactured in Hungary.

Minister revealed why Hungary will not send lethal arms to Ukraine

Hungary military defence minister

Hungary calls for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks among parties involved in the war in Ukraine as its interest lies in a peaceful Europe, the defence minister said in Brussels on Friday, after a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers.

It is also in Hungary’s interest that NATO should not get involved in the Russian-Ukraine war, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told Hungarian journalists, adding that the alliance must not “yield to any pressure posed by an escalation of the war”.

He reiterated Hungary’s position that it did not want “to drift” into the war and would not send lethal arms to Ukraine in a bid to protect Hungarians in the Transcarpathian region.

The minister noted Hungary’s large-scale army development programme and its pledge made to NATO in 2014 to increase its defence spending to 2 percent of GDP by 2024. He said Hungary was among member states “faring well” and would fulfil that pledge earlier, already by next year.

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Read alsoHungarian major general ends term as KFOR head

Szalay-Bobrovniczky also noted that NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo had operated in the recent past under Hungarian command. “Stability in the Western Balkans is of primary importance for Hungary. Pressure posed by migration continues to increase on Hungary’s southern borders and this is why it is important to maintain peace in the region,” he said.

The minister said he held bilateral talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg who reaffirmed that Hungary is an esteemed and highly appreciated member of the alliance. Stoltenberg highlighted Hungary’s undertakings and achievements in NATO, saying that those “represented a value” to the military alliance and contributed to its security.

Hungary military development
Read also Hungary defence industry set to be among region’s best by 2030

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Hungary’s brand new infantry fighting vehicles are displayed in Budapest!

Lynx infanrty fighting vehicle Hungary

You may check out the brand new infantry fighting vehicles of the Hungarian Defence Forces today at Heroes’ Square in Budapest from 8 am to 4 pm.

Based on the report of the Hungarian News Agency (MTI), the brand new Hungarian Lynx KF41 vehicles built by the Rheinmetall will be presented today in Budapest. Furthermore, you can check out the “ARV Buffalo”, an armoured recovery vehicle of the German company.

According to Hungary’s Ministry of Defence, the vehicles will be displayed at the Heroes’ Square between 8 am and 4 pm. In addition, those interested in becoming soldiers may get information at the recruiting centre that has also set up its tent on Budapest’s iconic square.

Lynx vehicles are operated by three people: the driver, the operator and the commander. The Lynx’s biggest advantage is that it can adapt to the battlefield and the task. For example, it is capable of carrying out peacekeeping missions. But it can also be used in battles fought in populated areas, asymmetric operations and traditional fights against motorised units.

Hungary military development
Read also Hungary defence industry set to be among region’s best by 2030

Here are some photos:

The ministry added that visitors could also check out Gidrán. It is a family of Hungarian armoured tactical vehicles based on the Turkish Ejder Yalçın vehicles by Nurol Makina. Furthermore, there will be BTR armoured transport vehicles.

The inauguration of the Lynx infantry fighting vehicles took place on Saturday. According to the ministry, the German Rheinmetall will build 46 by 2023. Afterwards, the new vehicles will be built in Hungary, and until 2029, the Hungarian defence forces will get 172 of them.

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Read alsoRussian fighters intercepted by Hungarian Gripen

Below you may check out some more photos and a video:

Here is a video:

Additional photos:

 

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Read alsoServicemen receive higher wages in Hungary

Hungarian major general ends term as KFOR head

kfor

Major General Ferenc Kajári of the Hungarian Armed Forces finished his one-year term as the commander of NATO’s international peacekeeping troops in Kosovo (KFOR) on Monday.

Kajári was the 26th head of the mission and the first Hungarian on the post.

In an interview given to KosovaPress.com, Kajári said the situation was “calm” in the country, after protests in the north of Kosovo over the summer, where ethnic Serbs protested regulations making Kosovan license plates mandatory. The situation was defused thanks to the “responsible behaviour” of the Alban and Serbian partners, he said.

Belgrade and Pristina have been in talks to regulate issues between the two countries for years, Kajári said, calling on the governments to keep using those channels to avoid tensions “like the ones in July”.

kajári
Photo: honvedelem.hu

Earlier in the year, the war in Ukraine brought tensions, but those have also abated by now, he said.

KFOR is monitoring the situation carefully, and has seen no signs of security risks resulting from the war in the country, he said.

Kajári said

KFOR had protected peace and security in Kosovo in the past year as it did under previous commanders.

The command will be taken over by Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia of Italy.

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Read alsoHungarian Defence Minister praises special forces’ NATO cooperation

MEP Gyöngyösi: It’s time for Europe to take control of it’s safe!

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MEP Márton Gyöngyösi’s (Non-attached) thoughts via press release:

Ever since World War II, Europe has been dependent on the United States of America in the sense that Europe’s security has been guaranteed by the US. However, today’s political situation clearly shows that it’s high time for Europe to grow out of this system. Especially, because Europe has all the material means for it.

The first warning for the old continent came in the form of Donald Trump’s presidency, which showed that the US-EU “gentlemen’s agreement” on security may actually be terminated soon. On top of that, Russia’s war in Ukraine now forces the European Union to consider organizing its own defence.

Although the past few months have seen the formation of an unprecedented anti-Kremlin unity in support of the sanctions, Europe’s weakness has been revealed as well.

The controversy lies in the fact that the EU Member States have an enormous military potential, but they have never given a serious consideration to creating a truly European army. The future may be different, however, as the current situation has clearly demonstrated how economic threats and sanctions, while capable of causing difficult moments for the aggressor, are not enough for an ultimate deterrence or the enforcement of peace.

That’s why it’s so important for the European Union to consider how it could back its economic and political power up with the adequate military capability. 

Disclaimer: the sole liability for the opinions stated rests with the author(s). These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Parliament.

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Read alsoMEP Gyöngyösi: Italy’s election and the counter-productive hysteria

Hungarian Defence Minister praises special forces’ NATO cooperation

hungary defence forces

Hungary’s government is proud of the country’s special forces and their contribution to NATO as well as regional security, the defence minister said in Budapest on Thursday.

Speaking at the closing day of the GSOF Symposium Europe, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the security situation had deteriorated in the region, due to challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic, illegal migration and the war in Ukraine.

For those reasons, the minister said he had instructed the leader of the Armed Forces to step up readiness.

Hungary military development
Read also Hungary defence industry set to be among region’s best by 2030

The Armed Forces served in hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, the minister noted, while also fighting illegal migration on the southern border. By now, many countries have followed in Hungary’s footsteps in combatting illegal migration, he added.

The government is also committed to ensuring stability in the Western Balkans, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. The Hungarian contingent is the third largest in NATO’s Kosovo mission, and Hungarians also serve in the EUFOR mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, he said.

Hungarian Gripen fighter jets are also contributing to the air defence of the Baltic countries, he said.

He welcomed the government’s decision to launch an Armed Forces development programme.

GSOF Symposium Europe is held annually for international military and governmental players in special forces. The event was held between October 4 and 6.

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Read alsoServicemen receive higher wages in Hungary

Hungary defence industry set to be among region’s best by 2030

Hungary military development

The Hungarian government aims to make the country’s defence industry one of the best in the region by 2030, the minister for technology and industry told an international conference in Budapest on Wednesday.

Hungary aims to become a key defence industry hub in central Europe in terms of manufacturing and research and development, László Palkovics told the Global Special Operations Forces (GSOF) Symposium Europe conference.

The government’s goal is for the size of the defence industry to reach 500 billion forints (EUR 1.2bn) by 2030, Palkovics said. The industry must also become self-sufficient so that it is capable of supplying the military, he added. It should also be successful abroad by joining international supply chains with competitive products, he said.

Brave Warrior military drill Hungary
Read also PHOTO GALLERY: international military exercise started in Hungary

The minister highlighted the Zrínyi 2026 defence development scheme as the start of the rebuild of the country’s defence industry.

Hungary currently spends 1.2 percent of its GDP on defence compared with the global ratio of over 2 percent, Palkovics said.

High-tech fields make up 70 percent of Hungary’s industry, he said, adding that the country’s geographical location was also favourable from a logistical standpoint.

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Read alsoHungarian army unit sets off for Iraq

Hungary and Uzbekistan would like to start cooperation in the defence industry

Hungary Uzbekistan cooperation

Minister of Technology and Industry László Palkovics held talks with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev on prospects for industrial and defence industry cooperation in Zalaegerszeg on Saturday.

Khodjaev, who holds the investment and innovation portfolio in the Uzbek government, has arrived in Hungary to make preparations for the Uzbek president’s visit to start next Monday, Palkovics said after the talks. The minister escorted the Uzbek deputy premier to the local test track for autonomous vehicles and the Rheinmetall armed vehicle factory.

The site of the meeting was chosen with a view to paving the way for cooperation in vehicle manufacturing and the defence industry, Palkovics said, adding that Hungary is prepared to share its experience in developing an industrial ecosystem that is similar to the environment of the test track.

Hungarian Defence Forces
Read alsoWhat is the Hungarian government up to? Hungarian arms production is booming

PHOTO GALLERY: international military exercise started in Hungary

Brave Warrior military drill Hungary

Hungary will carry on with its military developments in spite of the global economic crisis caused by the sanctions imposed on Russia, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Thursday.

Addressing participants of the Brave Warrior 2022 international military exercise in Hajmáskér, in western Hungary, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the defence fund in the state budget would help speed up the developments.

The minister said the exercise had made use of some new equipment procured as part of the military’s technological upgrades, which would form the backbone of Hungary’s 21st-century army. Equipment tested during the exercise included the Gidran and Leopard armoured vehicles, he said.

Hungarian Defence Forces Military Army NATO
Read alsoHungarian army unit sets off for Iraq

Mario Banozic, Croatia’s defence minister, said the security situation in the region had changed significantly in the recent months, and Russia’s attack on Ukraine meant that the region must be prepared to defend itself militarily, if necessary.

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Read alsoPHOTOS: Hungary’s President plays with kids, runs with soldiers, plays foosball

Government: Moscow is now the most direct threat to our security

Putin Russian president threat

Hungary is by now “an important, significant, determinative” member of NATO, a state secretary of the defence ministry said on Friday.

At a conference marking the 30th anniversary of the Hungarian Atlantic Council (MAT), Tamás Vargha praised the council’s “superhuman” efforts, adding that it had been crucial to the success of the 1997 referendum on Hungary’s accession to NATO. Hungary changed its “soviet-style, mass army” into an effective and professional one, Vargha said, noting government efforts to gradually raise salaries and army developments.

Vargha noted NATO’s crucial role in ensuring security in the Euro-Atlantic region and Europe. “In a fast-changing, unpredictable and complicated security environment the role of NATO is highly appreciated,” he said. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has solidified unity within NATO, Vargha said, adding that Moscow was now “the most direct threat to our security, and this will only change if Moscow changes its aggressive stance.”

He emphasised that everything must be done to promote the restoration of peace in Ukraine.

In response to the Russian threat, NATO has greatly increased its defence capabilities, while the Hungarian military is being developed further in light of the situation, he said, adding that “we believe that peace requires strength”.

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Read alsoNATO would not be as strong without Hungary’s military, says Minister Szijjártó

Péter Sztáray, state secretary at the foreign ministry, said in his address that Hungary had “broad political support” which was crucial for a country’s “credible and strong” NATO membership. Ever since the 1997 referendum, people’s “support for NATO, irrespective of their political affiliation”, had been an important point of reference, he added.

Ever since Hungary joined NATO, the country has adopted “a consistent attitude ready for consensus”, taking into consideration both its own interests and those of its allies, Sztáray said, noting however that

Hungary has blocked NATO-Ukraine talks since 2017 because of Ukraine curbing ethnic minority rights.

“This is an issue of international law; the rights of ethnic minorities must be guaranteed,” he said. The Hungarian government, he added, is ready to revisit the issue if the situation of ethnic minorities in Ukraine improves.

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Read alsoHungarian Gripens scrambled 6 times to intercept Russian aircraft in Baltics

Concerning the war in Ukraine, Sztáray said “NATO should be kept at a distance from the conflict, but this does not mean that member states could not support Ukraine.”

Regarding Hungary’s military reform now under way, Sztáray said: “Hungary is at last making the financial contribution that it should have made from the start.” As a NATO member, Hungary has “now become credible and is growing politically stronger” within the alliance. “It’s not possible to be a NATO member without national power and thus able to participate in political decision-making,” he said.

In the past 30 years, “NATO has given a lot to Hungary, and Hungary has been giving NATO and its allies more and more; by now, a healthy balance has developed,” the state secretary said.

PHOTOS: Hungary’s President plays with kids, runs with soldiers, plays foosball

Hungarian President playing running

Hungary now has chreches in over 1,000 localities, in three times more than a decade ago, Hungarian President Katalin Novak said in Hernádnémeti, in northeast Hungary, on Thursday.

Inaugurating a new creche in the village, Novák said the 290 million forint (EUR 720,000) investment was a sign “of our trust and belief in the future, and that we build for the children of the future.” Hungary’s education system currently offers four types of creches for children under the age of three, she said.

Hernádnémeti’s independent mayor, Zsolt Orosz, said that the 700sqm creche was built with 274 million forints of domestic funding, with the local authority contributing 15 million forints of its own resources. The creche will provide for 48 small children, he said.

President Novák visited the Hungarian soldiers serving in Kosovo yesterday. She started the day with a run and even played foosball with the soldiers. She also met with her Kosovo counterpart, Vjosa Osmani.

Here is our gallery:

Hungarian army unit sets off for Iraq

Hungarian Defence Forces Military Army NATO

A Hungarian military contingent, including reservists, is starting a six-month mission to train Iraq’s armed forces. The 139 soldiers were seen off by relatives and military leaders in a ceremony on Wednesday in the main square of Nyíregyhaza, in north-east Hungary.

This is the first contingent to include a large (41-strong) group of reservists, Gábor Gion, the defence ministry’s state secretary for strategic planning, noted in his speech at the ceremony.

“Operational duties are an important part of Hungarian diplomatic, security and defence policy; the Armed Forces are participating in numerous missions – together with NATO, the European Union and the United Nations – and our coalition partners see us as reliable allies,” Gion said.

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International institute: Hungary among the world’s most peaceful states

Fireworks air show Budapest national day

The Institute for Economics and Peace recently published its Global Peace Index and found that Hungary is the 13th most peaceful place, preceding Germany, Norway, Belgium and Australia.

The institute analysed 163 countries using 23 indicators to compare them. Among the indicators, there is the number of citizens diseased in foreign conflicts, the number of violent protests and their outcome, or political instability. Further indicators concern how citizens access handguns and how great the country’s armed forces are.

In the physical and general safety, Iceland, Norway and Denmark finished in the first three places. On the other end of the list are Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan and the DRK. Meanwhile, regarding the armament of the different countries, Hungary is fourth behind Iceland, Slovenia and New Zealand. Magyar Nemzet believes that is because of the government’s defence force development programs carried out in the last few years. 

The institute found Europe more peaceful than in 2021. That is because they put Ukraine and Russia in the Eurasian region. In Europe, Turkey is on the end of the list, while Estonia fell back a lot because of the war in Ukraine. The Estonian government regularly ships weapons to Ukraine. Moreover, there were several violent protests linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Europe, Hungary is the 9th most peaceful country.

 

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We needs to underscore the importance and development of a uniform European defence system, says Hungarian minister

Only an EU that has strong defence capabilities will be able to surmount the security challenges it faces and Hungary is ready to take up a role in creating those capabilities, the defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday .

Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Prague that “Hungary supports the creation of a more pro-active European Union, which is able to give a rapid and effective response to security challenges”.

The meeting organised under the Czech EU presidency focused on the global impact of the war in Ukraine, defence and security support provided to Ukraine and measures to develop defence capabilities.

“Hungary can significantly contribute to strengthening Europe’s defence-technological and industrial foundations. The country is currently carrying out one of the largest-scale military upgrade programmes in Eastern Europe,” the ministry quoted Szalay-Bobrovniczky as saying.

“With the war in Ukraine, the world has entered a new era of strategic uncertainty. This new era has resulted in historic steps … such as the enlargement of NATO with Finland and Sweden, as well as several countries’ decision to increase their defence budget,” the minister said. He said the war in Ukraine “has revealed the weaknesses of Europe’s defence capabilities while it has also created an opportunity for intensifying efforts to strengthen regional defence and resilience. The cooperation of the EU and NATO in this endeavour is of critical importance,” the minister told the meeting.

“Since this war is being fought in the European continent, right next door to us, Hungary, we need to underscore the importance and development of a uniform European defence system,” he said.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that the war could also trigger further waves of illegal migration, increasing the danger of terrorism and posing an additional security challenge to several countries.

Sukhoi Su-35
Read alsoRussian fighters intercepted by Hungarian Gripen

Russian fighters intercepted by Hungarian Gripen

Sukhoi Su-35

On Tuesday, the fighter aircraft of the Hungarian Defence Forces protecting the Baltic airspace were again alerted. This time the alert was again due to Russian aircraft.

For four months from 1 August, the Hungarian Defence Forces, with almost 80 soldiers and four Gripen fighter jets, will be the lead nation – together with Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy, under NATO command – in air policing the Baltic countries.

On 18 August, the Hungarian Gripen aircraft defending the Baltic airspace received their first live alert of the year. Hungarian fighters were alerted to an unidentified aircraft in the early hours of the morning. In accordance with international procedures, the Gripen aircraft identified the Russian IL-76 aircraft flying south over the Baltic Sea and returned to Siauliai airbase in Lithuania.

The current alert was issued for two Sukhoi Su-35 heavy fighter-bombers escorting an AN-72 aircraft from St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad, the Hungarian Defence Forces said.

The two Sukhoi Su-35 were flying in international airspace, but they did not establish radio contact with air traffic control, did not have a flight plan and did not use a transponder. The Hungarian fighters successfully intercepted and identified the Russian aircraft causing the alert at 12:50 local time at an altitude of 9,000 metres over the Baltic Sea. The Gripen aircraft then returned to their base in Lithuania.

Military convoys are moving near the Hungarian-Ukrainian border these days

hungary defence forces

Military convoys will be moving in the eastern part of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement sent to MTI on Tuesday.

They wrote: on these two days in the morning and morning hours, the Hungarian Defence Forces will carry out redeployments, so military vehicles will be in the area of Hódmezővásárhely – Fehérgyarmat.

“The Hungarian Defence Forces ask the public to approach military vehicles with due caution and in compliance with traffic rules, as their size and speed, as well as the length and progress of convoys, differ from the usual daily traffic patterns,” they stressed.

No civilian vehicles are allowed to enter the closed convoy, so escort vehicles are used at the beginning and end of the convoy to ensure the progress of the vehicles.

The Hungarian Defence Forces urge everyone to drive in the vicinity of the military convoy in all cases, taking into account the current road, weather and visibility conditions, the HMO said in a statement.

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Read alsoHungary takes over the air defence duties over Baltic states, army to increase disaster management staff

You should expect lots of military vehicles in this part of Hungary!

Military vehicle Hungary

The Hungarian Defence Ministry said in a statement today that residents of Eastern Hungary should expect lots of military vehicles on Monday. Below you may read the details.

Increased military traffic is to be expected between Hajdúhadház and Szentes in Eastern Hungary tomorrow, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence said today. According to their statement, the Hungarian part of the multinational TISZA Technical Battalion will take part in a drill from the early hours of Monday. Therefore, many military vehicles will be on the roads between Hajdúhadház and Szentes.

Here is their route:

Hajdúhadház – main road 4 – main road 354 – M35 motorway – road 47 – Berettyóújfalu – 47 – Szeghalom – main road 47 – Gyomaendrőd – road nr 443 – Szarvas – main road 45 – Szentes – main road 45 – Szentes.

There is another route:

Hajdúhadház – main road 4 – Debrecen – main road 4 – Püspökladány – 4 – Kenderes – 4 – Szajol – 4 – Szolnok – 4 – main road 442 – Rákóczifala – 442 – Martfű – 442 – main road 44 – main road 45 – Kunszentmárton – 45 – main road 451 – Szentes.

The Hungarian defence forces would like the residents to keep all rules and be cautious when approaching military vehicles. That is because the size, speed, and length of such convoys may differ from those they are used to.

However, it is forbidden for any civil vehicles to join the military convoys. The approach of such convoys is guaranteed by accompanying vehicles. Furthermore, they ask everybody to consider visibility and weather circumstances provided they get around the convoys.

They added they would like to cause the least inconvenience for the citizens.

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Read also Hungary to strengthen its army with Turkish Bayraktar drones

Defence minister: army officer corps must regain prestige

National-flag-Budapest-August-20

Addressing a swearing-in ceremony of new officers on Hungary’s August 20 national holiday, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasised the importance of the officer corps of the Hungarian Armed Forces regaining its prestige.

Hungarian soldiers should be respected, the minister told the new officers, adding that they were starting their service in “troubled and historic times”.

“We are witnesses to the mass migration subverting European culture and there is a drawn-out merciless and brutal war going on not far from our borders, which has caused a global economic crisis,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. World powers are in conflict “and everyone will want to rely on the strength of their weapons for negotiation”, he added. “In other words, there is a new world order taking shape before our very eyes.”

The Hungarian government’s goal is to prepare its military for these changes, the minister said.

The military’s procurement of the most up-to-date weapons systems, the upgrade of individual combat equipment, the introduction of the military career model and the new training model and the billions of forints spent on the military is proof that the Hungarian Armed Forces is on a path of development, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

The minister called on the new officers to embody virtues such as courage, honour, obedience, loyalty, discipline, comradery and self-sacrifice. He thanked the officers for deciding to serve their country, saying that “the homeland only exists as long as there are people to defend it.”

‘Remembrance strengthens covenant with our ancestors’

“Remembrance is a way of strengthening our covenant with our ancestors,” Gergely Gulyás, the prime minister’s chief of staff, said in a speech marking the August 20 national holiday, commemorating the founding of the state of Hungary. “If we recognise that we are heirs and we have something to carry on, we will be able to discover the experiences of this millennium and all that is important to save for the future,” Gulyás said in Nagykanizsa, in southwestern Hungary, on Saturday.

Saint Stephen founded a state and built a country in turbulent and controversial times “which has stood the test of time”, Gulyás said. His laws form the basis of Hungary’s constitution and the county system he founded has always served local communities according to the spirit of the times, he said.

Gulyás highlighted Saint Stephen’s role in organising Hungary’s dioceses, building its churches and converting the country to Christianity. “We have him to thank for Hungary’s role in the creation of Christian Europe, which the country has been a part of for a millennium.” he said.

“When we come together to remember the founding of the country, Saint Stephen’s legacy means that we still belong together today and that this country is home to everyone who inherited it from their parents or chose it themselves,” Gulyás said.

Over the past millennium, Hungary was strong enough to survive occupations by Mongols, Turks and Soviets, the times when the fate of the country was determined elsewhere, as well as the Trianon Peace Treaty, he said. “Therefore we have good reason to hope that we will also overcome the hurdles presented by the difficulties of the present,” he added.