Dutch Defence Policy Director in Hungary
Common goals in NATO and the EU, sharing the lessons learned, defence industry cooperation possibilities
Text: Ministry of Defence | Photo: Warrant Officer Lajos Szabó | 12:54 June 19, 2025Lars Walrave, Dutch defence policy director visited Hungary at the invitation of MoD Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy László Hajnik from 16 to 17 June. In the focus of the discussions were the development of the two countries’ defence relations, the armed forces development, the possibilities for defence industrial cooperation, closer cooperation within NATO, the European defence readiness, the security situation of the Western Balkans and the Sahel and sharing the lessons learned in connection with recruitment and the formation and operation of the reservist system.
The meeting fits well into the efforts for deepening our allied connections and enhancing the European region’s stability.
Mr. Walrave praised our results achieved in the Zrínyi Defence and Military Development Program and Hungary’s contribution to the Alliance defence efforts, highlighting the missions in the Baltic countries and the Western Balkans, among others. The Dutch party also plans to commission KC-390 transport aircraft, the same type procured within the framework of the Zrínyi Defence and Military Development Program, therefore, another possibility for cooperation (training, operation and maintenance) is opening up between the two armed forces.
At the meeting, examining the possibilities for cooperation in the field of defence industry received particular emphasis. László Hajnik emphasized that Hungary’s defence industry has undergone significant development in the past years, both in technology and manufacturing capacity. The Dutch party is ready for cooperation also in the fields of space technology and UAV systems.
