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Lieutenant General Zoltán Mihócza

08:02 August 10, 2021

Personal 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

20260528_SACEUR_találkozó_fogadás-FD_nyitó

Recognition from SACEUR

16:57 May 29, 2026

During his visit to Hungary, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander, United States European Command (EUCOM) spoke with appreciation about the Hungarian Defence Forces, pointing out that Hungary has been a valued member of NATO for nearly 30 years. While in Budapest, SACEUR met with Defence Minister Dr. Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi and General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staff. He also traveled to Székesfehérvár to meet with the military leaders of the Headquarters Multinational Division Centre (HQ MND-C), the NATO Force Integration Unit Hungary (NFIU HUN) and the multinational NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group (FLF BG).

20260527francianagykovetsegkituntetesatadas_HSZ04_borito

French ambassador decorates Hungarian soldiers and civilians

15:05 May 29, 2026

On 27 May, French ambassador Jonathan Laĉote presented high-ranking state and military recognitions at the ambassadorial residence. The awardees attending the ceremony were Hungarian experts and soldiers who made significant contributions to the deepening of Hungarian–French relations through their work, and did outstanding service within the framework of EUFOR Operation Althea, in cooperation with French troops.

20260521_SHAPE_HDF_Day_cover

Hungarian Homeland Defence Day – at NATO SHAPE as well

11:38 May 27, 2026

The NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons recently hosted a ceremonial event on the occasion of the Hungarian Homeland Defence Day. Rich in colorful programs, the event was attended by the military leaders of SHAPE, national military representatives and diplomats, as well as several invited guests of the international community.

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Torrent of gold medals for the HDF in France

09:38 May 27, 2026

There was an outstanding Hungarian success at the EuroGames112 international swimming competition organized in Albi, France: Reserve Major Anita Kállay-Nagy, a soldier of the Hungarian Defence Forces 1st Territorial Defence Regiment collected four gold medals at the prestigious international test of strength.

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Instruction for trainers

09:33 May 27, 2026

The international NATO Instructor Course opened its gates on Whit Monday, 25 May in Szentendre, Hungary. The event was attended by Chief Warrant Officer Tamás Zsiros, Command Sergeant Major of the Hungarian Defence Forces and Colonel Imre Frankó, the commandant of the HDF NCO Academy.

2026_nemzetközi_gyakorlatok_ASfrika_MHKMP (nyitó)

Special Forces conduct international exercises in May

13:49 May 26, 2026

In 2026, the soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces Special Operations Command (HDF SOC) participated in international exercises at several venues around Africa. The objectives of their engagement were to strengthen allied cooperation, develop joint operational capabilities and support regional stability.

20260520Újfehértó_Kadét-FD_cover

Exchange student program the cadets’ way

13:45 May 26, 2026

Every year, students of the Moravska Trebova Military High School, Czechia spend a week in the company of the cadets of the Debrecen-based Kratochvil Károly Honvéd Secondary School and Dormitory in Hungary, this time at the Újfehértó Defence Sports Center. After a 8-km route march, the cadets pitched camp and then, together with their hosts, participated in a range night and a reconnaissance task.

20260519_NATO_EU_Katonai_Bizottság_VKF_Ülés (nyitó)

NATO and the EU focus on strengthening the armed forces

12:08 May 26, 2026

“Both NATO and the European Union are concentrating on force development, the strengthening of defence industry and the preparation of the armed forces, while also looking for solutions to settle ongoing conflicts” – stated General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staff after attending the European Union and NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session held in Brussels.

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Joint run in honor of Polish freedom

11:08 May 26, 2026

On the occasion of the Polish 3rd of May Constitution Day, the SHAPE POLSOF Run was organized at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. The allied nations – among them, Hungarian servicemembers and their family members – entered the five-kilometer run to pay tribute to Poland’s freedom and national traditions.

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Persevering in the Present – Preserving the Past

11:01 May 26, 2026

The 34th rotation of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ KFOR Contingent held a celebratory assembly on the occasion of the Day of Hungarian National Defence at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo.