There can be no peace without a strong defence industry

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized that Europe is bound to face new challenges, at the same time the capacities of is defence (capability) industry are weak. Therefore, the security system of the continent must be rebuilt and reinforced. In this field, too, Europe can count on Hungary, which has rebuilt its defence industry drawing on international partnerships in the last 10 years or so, and significantly improved on its defence capabilities – pointed out the minister.

According to Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the war in Ukraine is only one among the challenges facing Europe. Several member states would use military force to put an end to the conflict raging in the European Union’s neighborhood that is causing huge damage and suffering day after day. Hungary is of the opinion that there can be no solution to end the opposition between Russia and Ukraine on the battlefield. Europe’s security system must be rebuilt, and the defence of the continent needs to be strengthened – he said. The minister pointed out that the government of Hungary is doing more than just talking about Europe’s security, since the strengthening of defence capabilities that started back in 2016 serves the interest of the whole continent beyond the sovereignty of our country. The cooperation with several European partners within the framework of the armed forces development program has resulted in the establishment of a string of new factories, so Hungary’s defence industry has been rebuilt in a couple of years.

The minister highlighted the Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Plant in Várpalota and Rheinmetall’s combat vehicle factory in Zalaegerszeg, the Airbus helicopter part plant in Gyula, as well as the small arms factory built in Kiskunfélegyháza. He added that the projects are to be continued in the coming years, the government is committed to defence development projects and pays special attention to manpower levels, which form an essential part of the process, including the need to increase reserve personnel strength. According to the minister, the experiences have so far been favorable, as several thousand people have joined the territorial defence reserve forces in the last few months.

Máté Lóga, State Secretary for Economic Strategy, Industry, Financial Resources and Macroeconomic Analysis at the Ministry for National Economy is of the opinion that the global pandemic has ushered in the age of uncertainties, fundamentally transformed everyday life, and the challenges pose a serious threat to the economy as well. Speaking at the conference, he said that Europe has forgotten the significance of defence industry, so this area is an important element of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union. He said that in recent years, the government had capitalized on numerous forms of cooperation to strengthen Hungarian defence industry with the contributions of international corporations. Meanwhile, a number of domestic companies have also been given opportunity to enter foreign markets by getting new orders placed with them. Beyond fulfilling domestic demands, today the capacities of the defence industry already also contribute to export performance, and the government is convinced that defence capabilities must be improved on a European level as well. The continent cannot give up on developing the defence industry and significantly increasing its capacities, as well as creating the necessary economic background to it – stated the state secretary.