NATO Defense College Visits Budapest

The Senior Course includes three field studies, during which students can gain first-hand experience from allied and partner countries. This year, Hungary is also among the destinations of the third field study, together with Sweden, Austria and Latvia.

The program of the delegation in Budapest provided insight into Hungarian national defence thinking and innovation efforts with presentations, professional discussions and high-level meetings.

“The main task of the NATO Defense College is to prepare strategic-level military and civilian leaders for their future position both in and outside the Alliance”, emphasized the NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen.

He added that “Via our educational, research and networking activity, we build on understanding across borders and cultures, encourage critical thinking and look for solutions to international security challenges together. The visit to Budapest is particularly important because understanding the security policy priorities of an East-Central European, reliable ally is indispensable for working out lasting solutions.”

The program created for the students included the presentation of Dr. Csaba Rada – representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – about Hungary’s foreign and security policies, the presentation of László Hajnik, MoD Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy (in the photo), about the directions of the Hungarian defence policy and the report of László Deme, MoD Deputy State Secretary for Force Development and Innovation, about the development of the defence innovation ecosystem.

A significant part of the visit was the formal meeting between Lieutenant General Kajári and Lieutenant General Nielsen, where the two generals discussed educational strategies.

“The Defense College is of outstanding importance to the Hungarian Defence Forces”, said Lieutenant General Kajári. “We delegate students to courses each year. The goal is that our leaders return with such knowledge that enables them to fill multinational staff command and NATO-related national command positions.”

The NDC Senior course is a flagship of NATO’s strategic-level courses. The Hungarian party has been actively contributing to education for years: the Director of Academic Operations is currently a Hungarian general, Brigadier General Ferenc Molnár. Also, Hungary regularly delegates experienced officers to department advisory positions.

The field study in Budapest not only helps understand Hungarian security policy more deeply, but also contributes to strengthening trust among NATO allies and deepening the thinking based on common values. Such visits demonstrate that education and partnership play key roles in shaping the future of the Alliance, and Hungary remains a committed actor in this process.