EUFOR Althea: Reinforced Hungarian Participation
Text: honvedelem.hu / MTI | Photo: archive footage | 13:57 September 7, 2026The Hungarian government reinforces the country’s participation in the European Union’s EUFOR Althea peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, government spokesperson Anita Köböl announced in Budapest. It was stated at the government press conference that the authorised strength of the reserve forces kept on standby in Hungary will rise from 150 to a maximum of 300 personnel, and that they may be deployed to the area of operations for up to 380 days instead of the previous 90 days, if necessary.
The spokesperson noted that Hungary has been one of the key forces in the international military peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina for nearly three decades, and has continued to play a prominent role in the operations in recent years. In 2024, Major General Dr László Sticz served as the Hungarian commander of EUFOR Operation Althea for one year, and from March 2026, Hungary will hold the post of deputy commander through the service of Brigadier General Bálint Legoza.
Anita Köböl said that, from September 2026, the Hungarian rifle company will also be placed on domestic standby, which is why the current strength of 150 personnel is no longer sufficient. The decision ensures that the Hungarian Defence Forces will be able to fulfil their assigned tasks on an ongoing basis, she stated.
She noted that stability in the Western Balkans is a fundamental security interest for Hungary, which is why Hungary will continue to play an active role in the European Union’s peacekeeping operation in the coming years.
