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 Gripens above Greece
13:02 May 5, 2026
The air force component of the Hungarian Defence Forces is participating with JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft at the multinational NATO Exercise Tiger Meet at Araxos Air Base, Greece. The close to two-week training event that started on 4 May has special significance in terms of strengthening Alliance cooperation.
The birth of a modern combat vehicle
12:56 May 5, 2026
The Lynx infantry fighting vehicles of the Hungarian Defence Forces are manufactured at Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt., Zalaegerszeg. There is precise human work behind the cutting-edge technology: welding, sanding, CNC, shot-blasting and assembly.
Preparing to leave for America
12:51 May 5, 2026
The Combat Readiness Exercise 26 will be organized in Michigan, the United States of America this July, and reservists from several territorial defence regiments of the Hungarian Defence Forces are going to travel there to participate in it. Their preparation is in full swing: after taking the mandatory inoculations, the soldiers developed and executed the operation orders (OPORDs).
The wings of the nation
12:03 May 5, 2026
The two newest Gripen fighter jets of Hungary have arrived from Sweden to further expand the fleet of the Hungarian Defence Forces, in which already 16 such aircraft are available. At the 29 April handover ceremony, it was stated that this type has unquestionably been the backbone of domestic airspace defence for several years.
“Jolly Vihar 2026” Reloaded
12:06 April 28, 2026
Experts of the U.S. Air Force’s 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons and the HDF 47th Airbase worked out the HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter’s procedure for refuelling with a running engine (hot refuelling) during an almost one-year joint service.
Future top military leaders in NATO environment
12:03 April 28, 2026
The students of the military general staff training course at the Ludovika University of Public Service gained strategic-level experiences on their visit to the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.
Observation from bird’s-eye view
11:20 April 28, 2026
Aerial reconnaissance is a key element of the closing program in the third week of the 47th International Military Observers Course organized by the HDF Military Training Centre. Altogether 27 students from 14 countries are participating in the course, with one common aim: to serve as military observers on international missions under the aegis of the UN in the interest of preserving peace.
International Selection in the Air
11:17 April 28, 2026
Special helicopters occupied the sky, crossing the clouds with spectacular manoeuvres. Spanish and Hungarian aircraft showed what cutting-edge technology and precision are capable of.
Special Insight
14:29 April 27, 2026
Organized by the United States Military Group of the U.S. Embassy Budapest, bloggers recently watched the dynamic moments of Exercise Jolly Vihar 2026, participated in a static display, observed the American rotorcraft and shared their experiences with servicemembers participating in the exercise.
Preparing for the NATO Tiger Meet Exercise
12:18 April 27, 2026
As of 4 May, the HDF 101st Aviation Wing will be representing the Hungarian Defence Forces with JAS 39 Gripens at Araxon Air Base, Greece during the NATO Tiger Meet 2026, one of the best-known international exercises of air forces.