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
Tribute was paid in Kosovo to our soldiers who fell in World War I
16:03 June 2, 2026
On the occasion of Heroes' Day, soldiers of the 34th rotation of the Hungarian Defence Forces KFOR Contingent paid tribute to those who fell in World War I at the Austro-Hungarian military cemetery in Peć/Pejë, Kosovo. Prior to the event, a group of Hungarian peacekeepers volunteered to maintain the cemetery to ensure it was neat and dignified for the commemoration of the Hungarian heroes.
Strong Lineage 2026: precise, synchronized, international
17:46 June 1, 2026
Besides the Slovak training areas, Exercise Strong Lineage 2026 of the Slovakia-based NATO Multinational Brigade Task Force was conducted in the Bakony Hills, Hungary. The Spanish subunit (Task Force Bravo) of the brigade conducted live-fire training on the “Zero point” shooting range and training area, where its soldiers maneuvered, synchronized fires and took aim precisely on platoon level with their Uro Vamtac combat vehicles.
From Hungary to America, from Ohio to Újdörögd
14:15 June 1, 2026
“This is the last exercise before departing for America, and it’s a real challenge to me as squad leader” – said Sergeant First Class Rafael Tóth in the Újdörögd training area. “We’ve been really impressed so far with how the Hungarian Defence Forces have done in the exercise” – told us Captain Joshua Digman on this year’s Exercise Valiant Panther. Both are reservists and university students. Sergeant First Class Tóth is studying as computer science engineer at Pannon University, while Captain Digman is a law student in Ohio, and participated in the training of Hungarian territorial defence forces as a mentor and evaluator.
Without borders – in special operations
14:10 June 1, 2026
The soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces Special Operations Command also participated in the international Special Operations Forces Exercise Trojan Footprint 2026, which was hosted, among others, by Hungary as well. The large-scale training event running in several countries involved the Hungarian, Slovak, Slovenian and American SOFs, which jointly carried out complex operation on the ground, on water and in the air with the objective of developing interoperability.
Sunsets and mirages
13:07 June 1, 2026
Hungarian poet Endre Ady summarized the feelings he had experienced along the River Tisza and on the infinite grassland in beautiful poetic tropes of his poem entitled “The poet of Hortobágy”. The soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces 2nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Regiment gained similarly moving experiences during their training jumps performed above the airport of Hajdúszoboszló.
Hungary is helping with security across the Alliance
18:23 May 30, 2026
While visiting Hungary, General Alexus G. Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Commander, United States European Command personally witnessed that Hungary is delivering on its commitments in the defence Alliance. Besides evaluating and analyzing the military development program, he also discussed the directions of further development with the leaders of the Hungarian Defence Forces.
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).
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.
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.
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.