Lieutenant General Zoltán Schmidt
11:22 January 2, 2023Personal details
Date of birth: 30th June 1969
Place of birth: Paks, Hungary
Marital status: married, a father of one child
Education
2015 Defence Management Course (National University of Public Service, Budapest)
2011 General Staff Course (Miklós Zrínyi National Defence University)
2008 NATO Logistics Operational Planning Course (Oberammergau)
2006 NATO Defence Forces Course (Oberammergau)
2006 NATO Staff Officer Course (Oberammergau)
2004 NATO Logistics Course (Aachen)
2002 TÜV Rheinland Academy (Budapest), Quality Management System Referent
2002 Miklós Zrínyi National Defence University, military technology manager
1990 Máté Zalka Military Technical College, combat vehicle maintainer, combat vehicle technology specialization
Military career
2023 Deputy Chief of Defence for Management
2022 Head of office (deputy commander for management), Hungarian Defence Forces Command
2019–2022 Inspector General (logistics), Hungarian Defence Forces Command
2018 Acting Chief of Staff, HDF Joint Force Command
2017–2018 Deputy Chief of Staff Support, HDF Joint Force Command
2014–2017 Chief of Logistic Forces (deputy commander), HDF Joint Force Command
2013–2014 Acting Chief of Logistic Forces (deputy commander), HDF Joint Force Command
2010–2013 Chief of Logistics Operations Directorate, HDF Joint Force Command
2007–2010 Senior officer (deputy chief), Logistic Directorate, HDF Joint Force Command
2006 Senior officer, Force planning division, MoD Force Planning Department
2005–2006 Senior officer, Force planning division, Military Planning Directorate, General Staff
2003–2005 Senior officer for coordination, Logistic Planning Directorate, HDF Joint Logistic and Support Command
2001–2003 Senior officer for planning, Logistic Directorate, General Staff
1999–2001 Service chief for armored and motor vehicle technology, Logistic Directorate
1997–1999 Logistics chief (deputy commander for logistics), 1st Tank Battalion
1997 Company commander, logistic company, 1st Tank Battalion
1993–1997 Company commander, repair company, Logistic Battalion
1990–1993 Deputy company commander for armaments technology, 1st Tank Company, 1st Tank Battalion
1987 Student (Miklós Zrínyi National Defence University)
Decorations
Officer Service Medal, 3rd Class
Service Medal of Merit, Silver Grade
Service Medal of Merit, Gold Grade
Officer Service Medal, 2nd Class
Service Medal for Flood Protection
Service Medal of Merit Decorated with Laurel Wreath
Service Medal for Migration Crisis Management
Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, Military Section
Language skills
English STANAG 3.3.3.3
Memberships
Hungarian Military Logistics Association, member
Hungarian Logistics Association, member of presidential board
Spain’s National Day Celebrated in the Spirit of Allied Military Cooperation
10:35 October 15, 2026
Spain’s national holiday also draws attention to the importance of defence cooperation between Hungary and Spain, two committed NATO allies. At a reception held in Budapest to mark the occasion, General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of Defence, represented the Hungarian Defence Forces, further strengthening the significance of military-to-military relations between the two countries.
Much-Needed Discussion
10:31 October 15, 2026
On October 14 in Budapest, Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, Minister of Defence, held discussions with Matthew Whitaker, the US Ambassador to NATO, on the situation in Europe, the most important tasks facing NATO, Hungary’s intentions within the Alliance, and how to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of the GDP.
Joint Learning, Enhanced Drone Capabilities
13:56 October 14, 2026
Led by experts from the HDF NCO Academy, a basic international operational drone course was organised in Hungary for the first time. During this pilot training program, military personnel from nine nations shared their knowledge with one another on topics relating to training and capability development. Following the classroom training, during the second week of the course, the participants carried out on-the-job tasks in the airspace of the Csobánka training area.
German Precision in the Hungarian Military
13:43 October 14, 2026
The German-Hungarian Joint Services Working Group organised bilateral consultations in Budapest across six thematic areas, as part of a series of binational visits at increasingly high levels taking place since September. The delegation also inspected the Hungarian Defence Forces’ military equipment and training aids of German origin.
German Unity Celebrated at Eiffel Art Studios
14:20 October 13, 2026
Alexander Schönfelder, Germany’s Ambassador to Hungary, hosted a reception at the Eiffel Art Studios to mark the Day of German Unity. Also in attendance at the event was General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of HDF Defence Staff.
If you are not at the table, you are on the menu
14:14 October 13, 2026
“If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” And Hungary’s rightful place is at the negotiating table on European security. It was an honour to take part in the Warsaw Security Forum, where, for the first time in a long while, a Hungarian Minister of Defence was once again able to represent the country, Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi stated on his social media page.
Who will Protect Europe?
14:09 October 13, 2026
Europe must become capable of defending itself independently. To this end, it is not enough simply to rethink the continent’s defence strategy; it is essential to rebuild and modernise the European defence industry, said Defence Minister Romulusz-Ruszin Szendi at the Warsaw Security Forum held on Monday.
Air Dominance
11:14 October 13, 2026
The international Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course is well under way in Pápa, Hungary. The course serves the tactical training of helicopter aircrews and their preparation as instructors.
Unarmed Service
11:08 October 13, 2026
On October 8, several blue-helmet soldiers gathered in the area of Kiskunhalas and Tázlár to participate in the complex patrol exercise of the 48th International Military Observer Course. Organized by the Szolnok-based HDF Peace Support Training Centre, the course is aimed at providing training for service members who are preparing to join UN-led unarmed peacekeeping missions in war zones or hot spots around the world.
On the Ground, in the Air, on Television
10:30 October 13, 2026
The Hungarian Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team serving as part of EUFOR Operation Althea not only contributes to maintaining security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also to strengthening ties with the local population. In this spirit, on October 9–10, 2026, Sergeant Bence László Sándor, the dog handler for the Hungarian EOD team of EUFOR, and his explosive-detection dog, Sziporka, participated in several professional and media events in Sarajevo.