New Momentum in Hungarian-German Military Cooperation

The HDF and the German Armed Forces have maintained close military-to-military relations for decades. The two armed forces regularly cooperate in training, exercises and professional programs. Logistics, military education and the exchange of lessons learned are also key areas of cooperation. Hungarian and German soldiers have been co-deployed in several international operations; for example, in Afghanistan, a significant proportion of Hungarian soldiers served as part of the German-led ISAF Regional Command North (RC-N).

“Our cooperation is ongoing, and this is not limited to the military equipment we have acquired. We have expanded our cooperation within the reserve system, and keep in mind that our mission in Afghanistan was also based in the German-led northern region,” said General Zsolt Sándor following the one-on-one meeting.

The Chief of Defence emphasized that it is also important for the HDF to learn lessons from the Bundeswehr because many of its tried-and-tested solutions and procedures can be applied in Hungary as well, taking into account Hungary’s specific circumstances.

During the meeting held at the HDF Defence Staff, discussions covered the reserve and territorial defence systems, the exchange officer posts, joint educational programs, training and exercises, and lessons learned in Hungarian force development. In parallel with the talks between the Chiefs of Staff, two Command Senior Enlisted Leaders – Senior Warrant Officer Carsten Dreblow and HDF Command Sergeant Major Tamás Zsiros – also held discussions. General Zsolt Sándor pointed out that the modernization of the armed forces does not end with the procurement and commissioning of new military equipment.

“I always try to remind people that force development is a never-ending process. So, even when the procurement process is completed and the items of equipment arrive, the modernization itself does not stop. We must continually develop them and refine procedures. The more we take part in international exercises and the more places we learn lessons from, the more cost-effectively we can modernize the armed forces in Hungary,” he said.

The Chief of HDF Defence Staff highlighted the importance of the exchange officer system. Hungarian exchange officers serving at the German Armed Forces headquarters can learn lessons first-hand of the Bundeswehr’s functioning, organizational solutions and development processes, which the HDF can also put to good use. The German exchange officer post in Hungary, which is currently vacant, serves the same purpose.

General Sándor, in assessing the relations between the two armed forces, also noted that recent developments had noticeably strengthened international interest in the HDF and military cooperation with Allies.

“Our credibility has improved and is once again at its previous level. At the same time, I would like to add that, on the military side, there has never been any tension between the two countries or among the allied states. As a collective defence alliance, NATO always takes precedence over temporary issues,” emphasized the Chief of Defence.

In his statement in Tata, General Carsten Breuer spoke about the security policy context of the cooperation between the two armed forces and the role of NATO. “We are in close cooperation and therefore we are following the changes in the Hungarian Defence Forces and in Hungary as well. This is because basically, we are facing the same challenges. I mean, for example, the Russian threat and, more generally, recognizing threats. These require readiness and cooperation between us. This is what NATO is for; it brings us together on a common ground,” said General Carsten Breuer in Tata.

He pointed out that the collective goal is to strengthen military readiness, and to contribute to NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Cooperation between the two armed forces, joint training and exchange of lessons learned all play a an important role in this. General Breuer also noted that German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Hungarian Defence Minister Dr Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi will soon be discussing further opportunities for Hungarian–German military cooperation at their meeting in Hungary. The meeting of the Hungarian–German joint services working group will take place on 12-13 October, also in Hungary.

In Tata, Brigadier General István Tóth, Commander, HDF 25th Armored Brigade briefed the German delegation on the unit’s duties, capabilities, and the results of force development in recent years. Following the presentation, the guests toured the modern simulation center, where, among other things, they were introduced to simulators of the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, the Leopard tank, and the Lynx armored fighting vehicle.

General Breuer said that even by German standards, “it is really high standard what you’re having here. And especially here in Tata, having the brigade and also the simulation center […] which is really realistic. I congratulate the brigade on the achievements it has made in recent years”.

Among those taking part in the Tata discussions were Brigadier General Zsolt Molnár, Deputy Commander Land Forces at the HDF Joint Operations Command, and Brigadier General Zoltán Jobbágy, Defence, Military and Air Attaché accredited to Germany.