Our Goal is a Competitive European Defence Industry

In his speech, the defence minister underlined that we need a strong, competitive and innovative European defence industry, which must be a solid pillar of the national economy.

As for the defence expenditures, he warned that “it is not enough to spend more, we also have to commit ourselves to procuring military equipment primarily from the European industry”.

The minister also mentioned the current security policy challenges, which were of considerable interest in the program of the Hungarian EU presidency as well. In connection with the stability of the Western Balkans, he said that the region is vital for the security of Europe. Therefore, the Hungarian presidency urges faster EU enlargement with the Western Balkans countries, a significant milestone of which is that the negotiations with Albania about the contents began this week.

Illegal migration triggered by conflicts at the eastern and southern borders of Europe also increases security policy challenges. The minister stated that the successful actions of Europe against illegal migration must rely on the joint actions of nation-states and the EU. The EU must enhance stability in the Middle East, Northern Africa and the Sahel, he added. He recalled that Hungary, focusing on the Sahel, uses a comprehensive approach and, cooperating with the region’s countries, helps where it is needed.

Related to the war in Ukraine, the minister underlined that Hungary wishes to see an independent, operating and peaceful Ukraine as soon as possible. He added that Hungary differs from the mainstream European opinion in seeing the way leading to this result otherwise. “We still think that the war can be brought to an end only with diplomacy in the long term”, added Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

Supporting the creation of a competitive and innovative European defence industry is among the top priorities of the Hungarian EU presidency. “The goal of our presidency is to strengthen the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which rests on three main pillars. The first is the improvement of the EU’s crisis response capability. The second one is to enhance the efficiency of the EU’s capability development”, said the minister. In the field of crisis management, Hungary is still a committed participant – and leader – of the international missions and operations of the EU and NATO. He recalled that the international EUFOR Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina is being led by a Hungarian commander, Major General Dr. László Sticz in 2024.

As a third pillar, the minister named the creation of a competitive and innovative European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. He thinks that the main problems of this sector can be traced back to three factors. The defence industry is under-financed, so, the national defence budget and other resources should be increased. Besides, Europe should decrease its dependence on other countries, thus, it has to increase its strategic autonomy. Finally, the vulnerability of our long and complex supply chains needs to be reduced, emphasised the minister.

Press release by the Ministry of Defence