Armed Forces Development Now Focuses on People

Text: Levente Petróczy | Photo: Gábor Kormány and Tamás Kovács | 08:15 August 22, 2025

The Government of Hungary already saw more than ten years ago that the world is changing in a dangerous direction; therefore, they launched an armed forces development program that aims at completely renewing the Hungarian Defence Forces, said Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at the ceremony of the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces, combined with an awarding ceremony, on the occasion of Saint Stephen’s Day.

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Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky declared that peace requires strength, which must be gained. 2026 will be the fourth consecutive year when Hungary’s defence spendings exceed 2 percent of the GDP, in line with NATO commitments.

The minister highlighted that reforms concerning the armed forces might be complex and large-scale, but certain values are constant. Politics must be kept outside the army; it is still unacceptable to politicise while wearing a uniform or showing photos of those in uniform. It should not happen that anyone builds a political career by destroying the prestige of the HDF.

He added that an oath taken to protect the homeland is for a lifetime; Hungarian soldiers “serve for the security of the whole nation, they must not be divided or dragged into political battles”.

Talking about reforms, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recalled that new devices are constantly arriving at the HDF; meanwhile, “even the most state-of-the-art technology and the best equipment are nothing without a strong organisational structure and a suitable aspect”.

“Therefore, the focus of the armed forces development is now directed towards the organisation and the people serving in it. We aim to create a milieu in which soldiers' situations are stable, they believe in themselves and their mission.”

He underlined that they have taken an oath to defend this country, and the oath says that whatever comes, “the homeland and the Hungarian people can count on us”.

“The establishment of the state was not only a historical moment, but also a noble task, the celebration of responsibility”, said General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staff.

In his ceremonial speech, he emphasised that Hungarian statehood is not evident; Hungarians often stood up for themselves and their homeland in hard times. Soldiers, defence employees, government officials and sportsmen have no less a task today. “We inherited this state, and we are here to pass it down to our descendants. We have no other responsibility but to serve the country”, said the General.