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
Joint Discussion on the Future of Fighters
12:11 November 10, 2026
The concept of interoperable combat aircraft took center stage this year at the International Fighter Conference held in Munich, where Hungary was represented by Brigadier General Csaba Ugrik, Deputy Director of Staff of HDF Defence Staff.
V4: Joint Planning, Joint Thinking, Joint Battlegroup
13:39 November 9, 2026
The second meeting this year of the chiefs of defence of the Visegrád Four – including General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of HDF Defence Staff – was held in Bratislava. The parties reviewed the capabilities of the Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian armed forces, preparations for the activities of the V4 EU Battlegroup due to be reactivated in 2028, and, in addition to evaluating this year’s exercises, also discussed the joint training events planned for the next two years.
Multinational Capabilities in One Formation
12:06 November 9, 2026
The execution of joint tasks during Exercise Brave Warrior 2026 involved the military equipment of the Hungarian Defence Forces as well as Italian and Croatian combat vehicles. To strengthen the combat readiness of the multinational formation conducting the exercise, the HDF 25th Armored Brigade participated in the exercise with Leopard 2A7HU main battle tanks, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, Gidrán tactical vehicles and BTR infantry fighting vehicles.
In the Land of the Brave
12:01 November 9, 2026
During the validation Exercise Brave Warrior 2026-2, the HDF 25th Armored Brigade has demonstrated its preparedness as part of the multinational NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group, the core capability of which is provided by the 1st Infantry Battalion through the integration of Croatian, Italian and further Hungarian subunits.
Commemoration of WWI Soldiers in Peć
07:59 November 7, 2026
On the occasion of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, the personnel of the 35th rotation of the Hungarian Defense Forces KFOR Contingent paid tribute to the soldiers who fell in the First World War at the Austro-Hungarian military cemetery in Peć/Pejë, Kosovo. Prior to the event, Hungarian peacekeepers also tidied up the area around the cemetery to ensure it was orderly and fitting for the November 1 commemoration.
Hungarian-Montenegrin Defence Relations Gain New Momentum
11:41 November 6, 2026
On November 5, Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi welcomed Dragan Krapović, the Montenegrin Minister of Defence in Heroes’ Square. After paying tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the parties held discussions to review the security situation in the Western Balkans, the development of bilateral military cooperation, and current issues relating to NATO and EU integration.
Expanding Cooperation with Qatar
11:56 November 5, 2026
Strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation was the main topic of the professional discussion in Doha between Chief of Defence General Zsolt Sándor and Lieutenant General Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces. At the invitation of his counterpart, the Hungarian military leader paid a two-day official visit to Qatar, where he held discussions with the Qatari Minister of Defence and the chiefs of the service branches.
Security needs to be maintained, not just safeguarded
11:52 November 5, 2026
“Last night in the National Assembly, I explained the reasons for strengthening Hungary’s military contribution to EUFOR Operation ALTHEA,” wrote Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi on his social media page on November 4.
NATO Fuse 2026: Future Allied Battlefield Network Introduced in Riga
12:42 November 4, 2026
The interoperability of communications and information systems (CIS), counter-drone assets and targeting capabilities used by NATO member states was tested in Riga and the nearby Ādaži military training area. Instead of being a traditional military exercise, the NATO Federated Unified Sensing and Effects was a “series of operational experiments” in the last days of October.
Iron Will to the Finish Line
10:48 November 4, 2026
First Lieutenant Zoltán Janota, the physical training instructor (PTI) officer of the HDF 6th Territorial Defence Regiment, demonstrated great perseverance and determination when he successfully completed the IRONMAN 70.3 international triathlon held in October in Poreč, Croatia.