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
Strong Will Derives Only from Strong Faith
16:52 July 14, 2025
The Hungarian Defence Forces need impeccable soldiers who respect their mission and enhance their vocation’s honour with their exemplary service on every level, said Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky on Saturday at the oath-taking of the 355 soldiers graduating from the HDF NCO Academy in Heroes’ Square, Budapest.
Extraordinary training at an extraordinary venue
13:18 July 14, 2025
This time, the soldiers of the HDF Special Operations Command were exercising in the depths of the crystal-clear Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, instead of River Danube. The Special Operations Task Units held their joint diver training, practicing underwater combat situations, raids and rescue situations in lifelike circumstances.
Start of Exercise Jolly Vihar 2025
13:12 July 14, 2025
Once again, the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters of the USAFE 56th Rescue Squadron and 57th Rescue Squadron landed on the tarmac of Pápa Air Base, Hungary.
Historic Meeting of Defence Ministers in Saudi Arabia
12:50 July 11, 2025
Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recently held a discussion with His Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia, about deepening defence, military professional and military equipment relations between the two nations. This was the first meeting of defence ministers in the three-decade-long, constantly expanding and strengthening diplomatic relations of our countries.
NATO Conference Held in Budapest
11:22 July 11, 2025
Hungary is a reliable member of the Alliance, takes the development of the armed forces seriously, and meets the NATO Capability Targets – stated General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staff on the margins of the conference “Corps Land Enablers and Development Synchronization” (LEADS) organized by the NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) in Budapest, Hungary.
Peace is not granted
16:48 July 9, 2025
“We are living in a decade where peace is not granted – it must be earned. Earned through strength, unity, and determination” – emphasized General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staf at the opening of the conference of NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM). The event is being held at Buda Castle Garden Bazaar, Budapest this week.
Hungarian-North Macedonian Defence Policy Discussions in Skopje
16:39 July 9, 2025
At the invitation of State Secretary of the North Macedonian Ministry of Defence Elizabeta Chupovska Ristova, MoD Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy László Hajnik visited Skopje on 3 July. The official meeting aimed at deepening the defence policy dialogue between the two parties along the developing Hungarian–North Macedonian bilateral relations.
Discussing defence industrial cooperation
16:32 July 9, 2025
In today’s world, the success of a country’s defence depends on 21st-century armed forces as well as the supporting defence industry and innovation based on domestic and international forms of cooperation – stated Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky in Riyadh. This is the first time that a Hungarian minister of defence is conducting discussions in Saudi Arabia.
International cooperation in Újmajor
12:21 July 9, 2025
The Central Training and Shooting Range of the HDF Joint Forces Training Centre in Újmajor was recently teeming with Italian Centauro military vehicles and tanks, as well as Hungarian PzH howitzers, Leopard main battle tanks, drones and helicopters. The personnel of the NATO Forward Land Force Battle Group (NATO FLF BG) were training in the area between 30 June and 2 July.
Good Performance Even in Heat
14:02 July 7, 2025
Cross-country running, anatomical target puzzle, training hand grenade throwing, shooting, crawling, ammunition box moving, running with weight, vehicle pushing and litter carrying – these are just a few of the tasks of the International Military Patrol Competition held at the Püspökszilágy Training Area and Shooting Range.