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
The Middle East is Still on Fire; We Can Feel the Effects Here as Well
13:21 March 27, 2026
Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky wrote on his social media page that, with regard to the current security situation, he had a discussion over the phone with the defence ministers of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, during which he was informed firsthand about the effects of the war in Iran, as well as its regional and global consequences.
Rearranging power relations, transforming warfare
12:58 March 27, 2026
The Space & Defense Festival has brought together in Budapest the key players of domestic and international defence and space industry. “The power relations are rearranging, and we must react to the transformation of warfare and the changing security situation” – emphasized General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staff in his lecture. “To ensure their strategic autonomy, the establishment of proper space capability is indispensable for any country” – stated László Deme, MoD Deputy State Secretary for Force Development and Innovation in summing up the development of the armed forces.
Hungarian general assumes duties as DCOM EUFOR Operation Althea
15:59 March 23, 2026
Brigadier General Bálint Legoza has taken over the lead of EUFOR Operation Althea, the European Union’s peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the next months, two Hungarian generals will be serving concurrently in the leadership of the mission, as Brigadier General Tibor Szabó will be performing his duties as chief of staff until May.
In Alliance: German NATO bases in focus
14:33 March 23, 2026
Major General László Sticz PhD, National Military Representative of Hungary at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) recently visited logistic commands and commands responsible for air control tasks.
Hungarian officer attends air defence training in the USA
14:28 March 23, 2026
Lieutenant Milán Kacsmarik, an officer of the HDF 205th Air Defence Regiment recently participated in the Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course (ADA BOLC) organized for US Air Defense Artillery (ADA) officers at the Fires Center of Excellence, Fort Sill army training base, Oklahoma, USA. The objective of the almost two-month training was to prepare young officers for their Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Platoon Leader position, while providing them with a comprehensive picture of the core leadership principles and professional tasks of this branch of service.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky: combat vehicle maintenance, too, has outstanding significance
12:29 March 23, 2026
On 19 March, a combat vehicle repair workshop with an area of 2500 m2 was inaugurated in the Tata barracks of the HDF 1st Armored Brigade, where the maintenance of Leopard 2A7HU main battle tanks and PzH 2000HU self-propelled howitzers can be performed on altogether 10 vehicle stands.
Hungarian-Polish cooperation continues unabated in 2026 as well
11:41 March 23, 2026
On 19 March, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Polish Ministry of National Defence signed a plan on bilateral military cooperation in Budapest. Colonel András György, Chief of MoD Department for International Cooperation and Colonel Marek Kozera, Defence, Military and Air Attaché, Republic of Poland authenticated with their signatures the program schedule of the two countries for the year 2026.
NATO General visits the Rock
11:31 March 23, 2026
On 18 March, Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez de Lara, Commander, NATO’s Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), Torrejon, Spain paid an official visit to the Hungarian Defence Forces Air Operation Command and Control Centre (HDF AOCCC), Veszprém. The NATO CAOC Torrejon Commander was received by Brigadier General Dr. Tamás Bali, Deputy Commander, HDF Joint Operations Command.
Closing the war requires diplomatic instead of military solution
12:08 March 18, 2026
Hungary is convinced that there is no military solution to the conflict; instead, diplomacy should prevail and the horrible Russo-Ukrainian war taking its heavy toll should be closed with peace – said Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at a press conference held after his discussion with Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zuna on 17 March.
Minimi in the Focus
11:37 March 18, 2026
Soldiers of the 3rd Company of the 1st Grenadier Battalion of the HDF 30th Mechanized Infantry Brigade recently participated in an FN MK 3 Minimi light machine gun live fire exercise in Táborfalva. The purpose of the specialist group’s trade training is that soldiers, regardless of their position, learn about the main weapon of the section and its proper use.