Special Operations Forces Conference in Budapest

The Flintlock is a multinational training event for Special Operations Forces (SOF), the largest of its kind in Africa. Since 2005, it has been organized in a different country each year, depending on the current security situation and logistic circumstances. At present, the main challenge to NATO is posed by the stability of the Sahel, so the geographical center of gravity of the exercise has gradually shifted to West Africa over the years.

As organizer, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) decided to designate Ivory Coast as next year’s host of Exercise Flintlock. The venue of preparations is Budapest: between 17-21 November, the Mid-Planning Event took place in the capital city.

Coordinative planning events are held almost every year in Hungary, but participating in the preparations for Flintlock is an honor – noted Lieutenant General Ferenc Kajári, who illustrated the significance of the exercise by saying that last year, altogether 38 countries represented themselves with close to 500 participants.

“In agreement with NATO’s guiding principle of adopting a 360-degree approach to security, Hungary considers it important to meet the threats from the south as well. The exercise series Flintlock is designed to assist the affected North African partner countries in building capabilities. NATO can count on them in maintaining the security environment of the continent” – said the deputy chief of defence.

Were the security situation in Africa to undergo a radical change, for example, with the outbreak of a civil war in the countries of the Sahel, then, due to deteriorating living conditions, a wave of migration would presumably set out for Europe – said the lieutenant general in referring to the threats. “Furthermore, we must reckon with the threat of terrorism and the strengthening of organized crime. For this reason, we must prevent the disintegration of the security environment” – he added.

According to the organizers, the core objective of Flintlock is not only to strengthen regional security but also to enhance interoperability among partner nations. The training provides the opportunity for practicing the planning, command and conduct of multinational special operations. During the two-week operation, special attention will be drawn to intelligence and information sharing, as well as the development of civil-military cooperation and the capacity-building of local security forces.

The Hungarian Defence Forces participated in the exercise last year for the first time, then only in observer status. This year, ten executive personnel travelled, and they are planning to join next year’s exercise with about 40 participants. The designated personnel of the HDF Special Operations Command (HDF SOC) are being prepared at SOTU level for filling staff officer and staff NCO positions – said Lieutenant Colonel László Nagy, Deputy Chief, HDF SOC Training Directorate.

“This week is about finalizing the plans for the two-week exercise” – said Lieutenant Colonel Nagy at the conference. The more than 150 guest at the Bálna are going to determine the strength of the participating SOTUs, plan the movement and logistic support and specify the details of the operation.”

The core objective of the conference is to establish military cooperation among partner countries, first of all by forging closer ties in the system of relations of the SOF community. The lieutenant colonel pointed out that as host nation, Hungary is strengthening its role and military diplomatic weight in this community. Also, the Hungarian Defence Forces will have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to international cooperation and their SOF capabilities.

“The Mid-Planning Event’s primary goal is to synchronize operational planning across more than 20 nations for a complex, multinational counterterrorism exercise, ensuring unified strategies before the exercise starts. Partnership building is fundamental to this week as planners coordinate across different languages and operational approaches, building the trust and mutual understanding essential for seamless execution” – U.S. Army Maj. Patrick Temperato, the head of the operations centre, lead planner told defence.hu.

Major Temperato highlighted that “the Hungarian Defence Forces’ commitment to hosting this planning conference and deploying approximately 40 special operations soldiers to Flintlock 2026 demonstrates their dedication and commitment”. The Hungarian troops “bring valuable capabilities shaped by operational experience, and their growing participation, including hosting this critical multinational event in their second year, strengthens our collective capacity and exemplifies the allied leadership essential to addressing complex security challenges in Africa” – emphasized the head of the operations centre.

The allies, among them the Hungarian SOF operators, are going to exercise in the receiving countries between 13 April and 1 May.