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
Hungarian Peacekeepers Practiced with Swiss Super Puma Helicopters in Kosovo
13:52 November 2, 2026
The 2nd Maneuver Company of KFOR's Hungarian-led Tactical Reserve Battalion carried out its latest helicopter exercise in close cooperation with Swiss peacekeepers. The training’s primary objective was to further deepen the close cooperation between the nations serving in NATO’s mission in Kosovo, as well as to provide routine in various air transport operations.
Europe’s Defence Readiness in Focus
13:44 November 2, 2026
Attila Varga, State Secretary for Defence Affairs at the Ministry of Defence, attended the 6th European Defence and Security Conference in Brussels on October 29, where the focus was on Europe’s defence readiness, the security of NATO’s eastern flank, and the development of collective military capabilities.
The Strength of the Alliance Lies in Joint Action
13:33 November 2, 2026
Hungarian–Turkish relations are of outstanding importance in the fields of diplomacy, military and defence cooperation. The two countries are linked by historical ties, shared alliance commitments and strategic objectives. This partnership was also symbolized by a ceremonial reception held in Budapest to mark the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye, which was attended by General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of HDF Defence Staff.
Hungarian–Czech Defence Cooperation Further Strengthens
13:28 November 2, 2026
“We have just concluded important discussions with Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna here in Prague,” wrote Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi on his social media page. After reviewing changes in the European security environment, issues relating to the new European security strategy, and the regional and alliance-level defence implications of the Russia–Ukraine war, the two ministers agreed that collective security requires cutting-edge technological solutions and closer cooperation.
Hungarian Success at International Sniper Competition
11:50 October 30, 2026
Staff Sergeant N. P., a soldier at the HDF Special Operations Command, represented Hungary at the KAHLES FINALS 2026 DECADE MATCH international sniper competition, held in mid-October at the Le Arcate shooting range in Italy.
Remembering Heroes, Far from Home
11:44 October 30, 2026
Hungarian soldiers serving at the NATO Joint Force Training Centre (JFTC) in Bydgoszcz, Poland, paid tribute with a special commemoration to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight.
Joint Procedures, Successful Execution
13:15 October 29, 2026
During Exercise Brave Warrior, the personnel of the 9th rotation of the multinational NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group, stationed in Hungary, demonstrated their readiness. Thanks to their cohesion and the joint command structure and procedures, the Hungarian-led battlegroup successfully defeated the opposing forces hiding in the trenches of the Bakony Hills.
Much-needed course in military medicine
16:51 October 28, 2026
“Lessons learned in international environment may help the medical work in missions conducted abroad” – emphasized Major Dr (MD) Attila Kiss, Head of Ambulance Department, HDF Medical Centre at the DSTC/DATC course held for surgeons and anesthesiologists treating seriously injured patients, which is run in Hungary already for the third time.
Advanced Surgical Training
14:49 October 28, 2026
“I can say without exaggeration that after every course, we receive at least one message from participants in which they describe how they have saved a life thanks to the knowledge and practical skills they acquired on the course,” emphasised Dr Mark Bowyer, professor of surgery and US director of the Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) course. The course was organised jointly by the Hungarian Defence Forces Medical Centre and Semmelweis University and took place for the fifth time.
“Building Tomorrow Starts Today”
12:42 October 28, 2026
“The lessons learned from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are clear: the nature of warfare is changing at an unprecedented pace. Drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and new tactical procedures are fundamentally transforming the battlefield. What is effective today may become obsolete in a few weeks. The race today is to adapt more quickly,” emphasised Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) Admiral Pierre Vandier, who held a press conference with General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of HDF Defence Staff, at the end of his two-day visit.