The 2024 national defence budget guarantees the security of Hungarian citizens

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky underlined concerning this year’s annual budget that the goal is unchanged: Hungary is building resolute armed forces with up-to-date equipment. The Hungarian government keeps considering it a national strategic goal that the powerful, innovative and high-tech Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) be able to react efficiently to challenges in the current security policy environment.

The minister said that the national defence fund of the 2024 budget guarantees the development of the national defence capabilities. Resources will be provided for this year as well; therefore, military development can be continued in the field of each service and the personal equipment of soldiers. The minister also underlined that the budget for defence policy tasks is also significantly increasing this year. With the help of the appropriations, the goal of defence policy actors being able to meet the demands of the armed forces on their own, thus strengthening the Hungarian economy might be achieved.

During military development, defence innovation receives a major role besides the procurement of new equipment. Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky also said that the recruitment campaign of the HDF will continue in 2024. According to the numbers, the campaign provided successful support and harmonized the growing number with the modernization of the HDF.

Resources available this year ensure the HDF’s more significant engagement in NATO, within the framework of international military exercises and missions. Besides, the resources adequately guarantee the maintenance of the 2 percent defence budget in proportion to GDP, already fulfilled by Hungary – the minister added.