Strong alliance – on all levels

While in Warsaw, the MoD Parliamentary State Secretary and the Chief of Defence held a discussion with Polish Chief of Defence General Wiesław Kukuła. The basis for the extraordinary meeting was provided by a drone attack on Poland that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. The Polish side informed the Hungarian leaders about the current situation and the defensive measures taken, and the two delegations reviewed the incident based on its reconstruction from the available data. At the end of the discussion, the two sides concurred that the unity of NATO and the power of collective deterrence must be maintained, and all member states of the Alliance must be defended.

Before their visit to the Polish capital, Tamás Vargha and General Böröndi went to meet with the Hungarian Defence Forces Baltic Air Policing (BAP) detachment in Siauliai, North Lithuania. Detachment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Péter Tősér informed the deputy minister and the Chief of Defence about the organizational structure of the detachment, the tasks of the BAP mission, the details of Alpha scrambles so far, as well as on the engagements based on cooperation with NATO forces deployed in the region. The members of the delegation also had a glimpse into the process of a Tango scramble in practice.

General Böröndi held a separate discussion with General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, Chief of Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. High on the agenda of their meeting was the security situation of the Baltic region and the role of the Hungarian Defence Forces in reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank. Dr. Gábor Böröndi emphasized that Hungary is committed to collective defence, and is ready to continue taking an active part in the security efforts of the Alliance.

The Hungarian Chief of Defence also met with Hungarian troops stationed at Siauliai air base. He received an update on the tasks, preparedness and experiences so far of the airmen serving in the 69th rotation of the NATO BAP mission. Deploying with four JAS 39C Gripen fighter aircraft since 1 August, the Hungarian detachment of the Hungarian Defence Forces has assumed the lead nation role for four months again to carry out air policing tasks of the Baltic countries together with Spain under NATO command.

Speaking at a staff meeting at the close of their visit, Deputy Minister Tamás Vargha pointed out the importance of the defence of the Baltic republics’ airspace, praised the personnel and thanked them for their service performed with a level of preparedness and commitment that is outstanding and even recognized by international feedback. General Dr. Gábor Böröndi said that he expects the personnel to show similar discipline and execute their professional tasks precisely, at the same high level in the future as well.

Outlook

The allies are conducting Exercise Quadriga 2025 in the Baltic region under German leadership, while Russia and Belarus have launched Exercise Zapad (West) 2025, which extends to the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea as well.

On Friday, Bundeswehr Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer also visited Lithuania and held a discussion with his partner. Speaking to the press, he emphasized that Germany is committed to defending NATO’s eastern flank, and is ready to protect every inch of Alliance territory.

The previous day, the Lithuanian Chief of Defence met with General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) in Vilnius to discuss some important regional security issues such as strengthening air defence, expanding the Baltic defensive line and deepening allied cooperation. They agreed that NATO member states must give a united and firm response to current security challenges.