Major General Zoltán Schmidt

11:22 January 2, 2023

Personal 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

Duty, reliability, commitment

16:47 September 1, 2022

Since 15 October 2021, NATO’s largest and longest-running mission has had a Hungarian commander. We conversed with KFOR Commander Major General Ferenc Kajári about the last ten months and the challenges to the mission.

Only a European Union with strong defence capabilities can cope with security challenges, and Hungary is ready to play a defence role

10:20 August 31, 2022

Hungary supports the creation of a more active European Union, which can provide a quick and effective response to the security challenges of the next period, said Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Prague. He pointed out that Hungary can significantly contribute to the strengthening of Europe’s defence technological and industrial base, and is carrying out one of the largest military development projects in Eastern Europe.

Another interception above the Baltic Sea

10:15 August 31, 2022

The fighter jets of the Hungarian Defence Forces participating in the Baltic Air Policing mission have been scrambled again. This time, they were put in alert status due to two Su-35 fighters escorting an An-72 transport aircraft, en route from Saint-Petersburg to Kaliningrad.

KFOR Commander Meets with Local Officials Across Kosovo

15:47 August 29, 2022

In the course of the week, the Commander of the NATO-led mission KFOR, Major General Ferenc KAJÁRI, met with Mr. Albin KURTI from the Institutions in Kosovo, Mr. Goran RAKIĆ, head of the Serbian List party, and the Mayors of the four northern municipalities of Kosovo.