Lieutenant General Zoltán Mihócza
08:02 August 10, 2021Personal data:
Date of birth: 18 March 1962.
Place of birth: Budapest
Marital status: Married, with one child
Education:
1980 - 1986 Minsk Military Academy of Air Defense Missile Engineering, (Minsk, Belarus, USSR), certified radio engineer
1996 - 1997 ADA Officers Advanced Course, El Paso, Texas, USA
2004 - 2005 Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama, USA Master degree – strategic studies
Training Courses Attended:
1999 C-70 Chemical Defense Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2000 I-32 Staff Officer Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2001 C-29 MJLC Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2002 NATO Logistics Course, Aachen, Germany
2007 Senior Leadership Course, George C. Marshall Center, Germany
2008 Defence Policy Course, Defence Academy, UK
2010 GFOAC Senior Leadership Course, NDC, Rome, Italy
Military career:
1986 - 1989 11/7th Air Defense Missile Division, Deputy Commander (Technical), Budapest
1989 - 1992 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Maintenance Squadron Commander, Budapest
1992 - 1994 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Chief of Maintenance, Budapest
1995 - 1996 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Chief of Air Defense Missile Engineering, Budapest
1997 11th Danube Air Defense Missile Brigade, Chief of Military Engineering, Budapest
1998 HDF Meteorological Office, Chief Planning Officer, Budapest
1999 Defense Staff, Military Force Planning Directorate, Modernization Department, Research and Analysis Officer, Budapest
1999 - 2002 NATO Joint Forces Command, Group Headquarters J1/4, Logistics Planning Division, Senior Officer, Verona, Italy
2002 - 2003 MOD-DS, Force Planning Directorate, Modernization Division, Senior Officer in Charge, Budapest
2003 - 2004 MOD-DS, Secretary to the Chief of Integration, Budapest
2005 MOD-DS, Secretary to the Director of the Defense Staff, Budapest
2005 - 2006 MOD- DS, Military Planning General Directorate, NATO and Doctrinal Department, Head of Department, Budapest
2006 - 2010 MOD-DS, Operations and Training Division, Deputy Head of Division, Budapest
2010 - 2011 MOD-DS, Force Planning Directorate, Director, Budapest
2011 - 2013 HDF Office of the Military Representative, Military Representative, Brussels, Belgium
2013 - 2016 HDF Joint Forces Command, Acting Commander, Székesfehérvár
2015 - 2016 EUFOR, Chief of Staff, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2016 - 2018 HDF Joint Forces Command, Chief of Staff, Székesfehérvár
2018 HDF Joint Forces Command, Acting Commander, Székesfehérvár
2019 - Headquarters of the Hungarian Defense Forces, Chief of Staff
Participation in operations:
2000 - 2001 KFOR HQ Pristina, Kosovo
2015 - 2016 EUFOR, Chief of Staff, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Honours:
1994 Officer Service Medal 3rd Class (10 years)
2001 NATO Kosovo Medal 2002 Service Medal for Peacekeeping
2003 Service Medal, bronze grade
2003 Officer's Service Medal 2nd Class (20 years)
2004 NATO Service Medal 2005 Service Medal gold grade
2008 Service Medal decorated with Laurel Wreath
2010 Officer's Service Medal 1st Class (30 years )
2013 NATO Service Medal
2015 Hungarian Cross of the Order of Merit, military section
2016 EU CSDP Service Medal
2017 Migration Crisis Management Service Badge
2018 US Air Force Command Staff College, International Hall of Fame Member
2019 Gyula Sipos Award of the City of Székesfehérvár
Language skills:
English: STANAG 6001 4.4.4.4
Russian: advanced level, military interpreter

Next Stop: Poland!
14:55 September 18, 2026
During the final phase of their preparation prior to their deployment to Exercise Fiery Emblem in Poland, reservists from the HDF 2nd Territorial Defence Regiment 5th Territorial Defence Battalion carried out live fire tactical training (LFTT) in Hajdúhadház.

New Momentum in Hungarian–Turkish Cooperation
14:42 September 18, 2026
A professional delegation from the HDF Joint Operations Command’s Land Forces and a delegation from the Turkish General Staff held discussions on opportunities for joint international training exercises. The Hungarian delegation was headed by Brigadier General Zsolt Molnár, Deputy Commander (Land Forces) at the HDF Joint Operations Command, while the Turkish side was represented by Brigadier General Kamil Tumba, Head of Defence Planning and Project Management at the Turkish Land Forces Command.

Cutting-Edge Hungarian Technology over the Adriatic
14:15 September 17, 2026
At the large-scale Jesolo Air Show, the HDF 86th Helicopter Wing showcased the capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Forces to an international audience through a dynamic display featuring its Airbus H145M helicopter.

On Europe’s Defence in Prague
14:11 September 17, 2026
At the IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) Defence Summit in Prague, Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi discussed a new era in Europe’s defence with political and military leaders responsible for the continent’s security.

Airbase in Constant Motion
14:44 September 16, 2026
Over the course of nearly a century of military aviation in Pápa, numerous aircraft have touched down on the tarmac of the airbase. The service of the personnel at the HDF 47th Airbase, including the aircraft maintenance specialists, ensures safe and uninterrupted flight operations.

Two Days of Collaboration, Professional Dialogue and Practical Innovation in Hungary
14:39 September 16, 2026
On 9–10 September 2026, Hungary hosted a two-day professional program organised by the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) Modern Army Readiness with Simulation (MARS) working group.

We Regard You as Partners
14:30 September 16, 2026
“Military diplomacy builds trust day by day – a trust that cannot be established in a matter of days in a crisis”, said László Kürtös, Parliamentary State Secretary and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Defence, addressing the corps of defence, military and air attachés accredited to Hungary on 15 September at an introductory event organized at the Stefánia Palace – Honvéd Cultural Center.

Security Is Created, Not Imported
14:27 September 16, 2026
“Today I visited the Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Zrt in Várpalota, where I was able to see for myself the capabilities we have built up in Hungary,” wrote Defence Minister Dr. Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi on his social media page.

Search and Rescue with Rotorcraft
13:57 September 15, 2026
Based on the simulated scenario, a report was received in Szolnok: an AS350B helicopter had crashed into a Ural-4320 military truck during landing. Paramedics arriving at the scene of the accident were met by casualties trapped in parachutes, suspended from trees, and lying among the wreckage during air search and rescue exercise Air Wolf Hunting.

Officer Cadets in International Environment
13:51 September 15, 2026
International Exercise Saber Junction 2026 in Germany has come to an end. Over the past few weeks, it has presented military officer cadets from the Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training of the Ludovika University of Public Service with realistic, complex tasks. During the execution phase, the cadets participated in the training exercise as part of the opposing force (OPFOR), split into various groups.