Major 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
Soaring Cooperation
11:40 February 20, 2025
The partnership between Hungary and Saab AG dates back to 2001. This was the year when Hungary ordered the first batch of Gripen fighter aircraft. On 18 February 2025, the defence equipment and aircraft manufacturing company opened a new office in Budapest. In the future, the Hungarian Defence Forces, the Swedish company and the players of Hungarian defence industry will pay special attention to the development of avionics. To this end, they will establish a joint Air Capability Development Center as well.
Polish-Hungarian Cooperation Plan Signed This Year Again
11:14 February 18, 2025
Representatives of the Ministries of Defence of Poland and Hungary signed a military-to-military cooperation plan in Budapest on 13 February. On the Hungarian side, Colonel István Hajnal, Head of the MoD Department for International Cooperation, and on the Polish side, Colonel Sławomir Mnitowski, defence, military and air attaché of the Republic of Poland signed the document.
Maintenance for the first time in Hungary
11:02 February 18, 2025
Aircraft technicians of the Kecskemét-based HDF 101st Aviation Wing recently carried out annual maintenance work on the KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft of the Hungarian Defence Forces inside the unique C-17 hangar of the multinational Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) Program at the HDF 47th Air Base, Pápa, Hungary.
Earning International Recognition
10:43 February 18, 2025
The Hungarian soldiers have earned international respect and recognition for their service in the Hungarian Command Year with EUFOR Operation Althea, said Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at the Bálna Defence Centre, Budapest on Monday.
Side by side with the firepower
13:14 February 14, 2025
The air was glowing at the Szomód range on 12 February, when the soldiers of the 1st Infantry Battalion of the HDF 1st Armoured Brigade first used the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles during a live firing exercise. Meanwhile, the personnel of the brigade’s 2nd Infantry Battalion practiced firing from BTR-80/A APCs. The first use of large-calibre weapons is always exciting but thanks to the appropriate preparation, the exercise was truly an experience for the soldiers.
The United States is Committed but Europe Has to Do More
12:22 February 14, 2025
Hungary is significantly contributing to the collective defence of the Alliance, declared the defence minister in Brussels following the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence. Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told us that in the international defence alliance, they had the opportunity to meet the new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in person for the first time. We strongly support the position of the US Government regarding the conflict in Ukraine: the bloodshed must end, and efforts should focus on achieving peace as soon as possible, instead of prolonging the war, emphasized the defence minister.
Long-term Cooperation in the Field of CBRN Defence
12:19 February 13, 2025
As part of the bilateral cooperation within the Ohio–Hungary State Partnership Program, soldiers of the Ohio National Guard recently visited the HDF 102nd CBRN Regiment.
Challenge accepted!
09:52 February 13, 2025
…this sentence was uttered while Colonel Zsolt Kálóczi, Chief of Staff, HDF 86th Helicopter Wing was introducing the instructors of the NATO Air Command and Control (AirC2) Basic Course to the personnel.
The War Must Be Ended
09:48 February 13, 2025
“We welcome the USA’s voice at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. We agree that the bloodshed must end as soon as possible, the war – instead of taking further steps towards escalation – must be ended”, wrote Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky on his social media page from Brussels on Wednesday evening. The minister declared that Hungary currently does not deem it realistic for Ukraine to join NATO.
Headquarters Multinational Division Centre reaches Full Operational Capability
12:52 February 11, 2025
“Strength is reflected not only in weapons and numbers, but also in the readiness and will to defend what we value highly” – emphasized Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky on Monday, 10 February, in relation with the Székesfehérvár-based Headquarters Multinational Division Centre (HQ MND-C) reaching Full Operational Capability (FOC).