Territorial defence forces’ role increasing, says Hungarian army commander at Moonstar 2024

The role of territorial defence forces will increase in future and every nation has already gained experience in this field which they are ready to share at the current Moonstar 2024 multinational military exercise, the commander of the Hungarian army’s territorial defence forces said in a military base in western Hungary on Wednesday.

Moonstar 2024

Speaking to reporters in Hajmáskér, László Drót noted that Hungary and neighbouring countries had started to set up territorial defence forces during the past seven years.

“The Hungarian Armed Forces can gain from the experience of Poles in building up territorial defence systems at the exercise, and they can learn certain components of Hungary’s training method,” the commander said, adding that the participating troops were learning about the arms and methods of the other nations.

The Moonstar exercise also has Croatian, Slovenian and Czech observers present, said Drót.

“In a first chapter of Moonstar 2024, the Hungarian and US army held a joint shooting exercise at the beginning of the year,” he added.

According to a press release distributed at the scene, the current exercise is being held between Sept 2 and 13 with 190 Hungarian, Polish and Slovak territorial defence force reserves.