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
Renewal in military medicine
12:30 September 2, 2026
“The issue of innovation has never before been as essential in military medicine as in our days” – noted General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of HDF Defence Staff in his speech delivered at the first NATO Medical Innovation Workshop held at Bálna Defence Centre, Budapest.
Hungarian Capabilities in the EU’s Military Logistics Cooperation
12:29 August 31, 2026
A delegation of experts from the Central Coordination Centre of the Network of Logistic Hubs in Europe visited Hungary on 25-26 August.
Safety and Speed
12:25 August 31, 2026
During Exercise Quick Response 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the reaction times and crisis management protocols of the flight crews of Hungarian helicopters declared to the EUFOR reserve force are tested in the most unexpected situations. The aim is to ensure that, alongside other participants, airmen from the HDF 86th Helicopter Wing are also able to respond to any problem in record time.
Realistic Environment, International Cooperation
12:11 August 31, 2026
The international Exercise Saber Junction 2026 in Germany has been underway for over a week now. During the first few days, the focus was on planning and preparations. Since then, the live exercise (LIVEX) has also begun.
Stability Even during Rotation
13:01 August 28, 2026
“Your expertise, unity and commitment have strengthened the trust placed in us by the communities we protect. Be proud of yourselves and what you have achieved together,” said Major General László Antal, praising the soldiers of the NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group Hungary (NATO FLF BG HUN) on August 26. At the ceremony held in Újmajor, the 2nd Grenadier Battalion of the HDF 30th Mechanized Infantry Brigade handed over its tasks, after twelve months, to the next Hungarian rotation: the designated personnel of the HDF 1st Armoured Brigade.
Quick Response 2026: Hungarian Rotary-Wing Aircraft in Bosnia and Herzegovina
12:58 August 28, 2026
Hungarian helicopters arrived at Camp Butmir in Sarajevo, where they are taking part in Exercise Quick Response 2026 as part of Operation Althea of the European Union, better known as EUFOR.
International Half Marathon in Kosovo
11:05 August 27, 2026
What began as a personal tribute to the memory of a mother grew into one of the largest sporting events of the KFOR mission: the “Hungarian Statehood Day Run.” The idea of Warrant Officer Zsolt Matolcsi eventually brought together more than one hundred soldiers in Kosovo, while the organiser himself completed the half-marathon distance on a challenging course featuring several climbs, finishing well within his target time. As his deployment draws to a close, we spoke with Warrant Officer Matolcsi about his personal motivation, the behind-the-scenes challenges of organising the event, preparing for the race alongside his military duties, and his experiences during the mission.
Seven of the eight pumps are already operational
15:51 August 24, 2026
The restart of the turbines at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is going according to schedule and at a good pace, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said in the company of, among others, Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi on August 23 in Paks at an on-site press briefing held about the current status of the works at Paks and the planned switching back of the plant’s turbines.
Historic Moments in Birmingham
14:47 August 24, 2026
The inaugural European Judo Championships of Uniformed Services was held in Birmingham, with nineteen countries taking part. On the opening day, three Hungarian medals were won: Private Second Class Attila Üveges won gold, Corporal Ádám Kalász and Private First Class Brigitta Varga won silver medals. On Sunday, Corporal Dániel Miklósvölgyi won a gold medal, and Corporal Benedek Tóth took third place on the podium. At the event, Major Szabolcs Krizsán, commander of the HDF Sports Company, also played an important role as chairman of the European Judo Union Police & Military Commission.
Hungarian Recognition at Leapfest 2026
14:42 August 24, 2026
The Rhode Island National Guard once again hosted the Leapfest International Military Parachute Competition this year. 188 competitors from 47 teams representing 19 countries put their skills to the test at the world’s largest and longest-running military static line parachute competition.