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
Transfer of Authority in KFOR
08:59 September 28, 2026
KFOR Tactical Reserve Battalion (KTRBN) of NATO-led mission in Kosovo held its Transfer of Authority ceremony in Camp Novo Selo. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Botond Hetényi handed over command of the KTRBN to Lieutenant Colonel Róbert Kiss. This gesture also marked the end of the tour of the Hungarian component of the KTRBN, the 34th rotation of the Hungarian Defence Forces KFOR Contingent as its duties have been officially assumed by the 35th rotation.
Overseas training
16:02 September 23, 2026
Having completed the “Acélkocka” NCO training course in Hungary, Staff Sergeant Gergő Józsa, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) NCO at the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Center of the HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Wing further developed his professional knowledge at the command senior enlisted leaders’ course of the United States Marine Corps.
Strengthening Collective Security
12:52 September 23, 2026
“Central Europe’s strength lies in its cooperation with its partners,” stated László Kürtös, Parliamentary State Secretary and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Defence, at the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) and Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting held in Slovenia on September 21–22.
From Nyíregyháza to Poland
12:55 September 22, 2026
After several months of preparation, the reservists of the HDF 2nd Territorial Defence Regiment have arrived in Poland. The personnel of the HDF 5th Territorial Defence Battalion set out from the Damjanich Barracks in Nyíregyháza to participate in the international Exercise Fiery Emblem at the invitation of the Polish 11th Territorial Defence Brigade.
The Hungarian Defence Forces keep up with their NATO allies
12:38 September 22, 2026
Hungary represents a stable force among the armed forces of 32 Allied member nations with regard to preparedness, manning levels and operability – emphasized General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of HDF Defence Staff after the NATO Military Committee Conference held in Copenhagen. The Chief of Defence pointed out that the ongoing military development program and the acceleration of training and preparation provide a solid basis for fulfilling Alliance requirements; at the same time, there is need for further developments in some areas.
Military World Championships in Hungary
13:14 September 21, 2026
Hungary will host the 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championships from September 18 to October 1, 2026. Eighteen nations, represented by more than 200 fencers, will compete in virtually every fencing discipline. The World Championships will be organized by the Hungarian Defence Forces, in cooperation with the HDF Sports Company, and managed by the Hungarian Fencing Federation. The event will be held at the Veszprém One Arena.
Hungary’s Voice Heard Once Again in Europe
11:42 September 21, 2026
“We believe in NATO and European cooperation, while not compromising an ounce of Hungary’s national interests,” wrote Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi on his social media page following the IISS Prague Defence Summit. “And something has changed: Hungary is being consulted again. They are interested in our opinion, they seek dialogue with us, and we are once again sitting at the table where important issues are discussed,” the Minister of Defence stated in his post.
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.