Trust Forged in Fire

As the general said, “On most occasions, we, chiefs of defence meet at the negotiating table, and always just talk about cooperation. One of the main goals of the Hungarian presidency is the development of real international capabilities, for example, through Exercise Breakthrough 2025. During history, we have already long been mutually dependent on each other. Considering the Russo-Ukrainian War, the stability of the Balkans, and tensions at other points around the world, we need to keep together in the present, too. During the international Exercise Breakthrough 2025, we assessed the artillerymen’s and armor crew members’ skills, harmonized procedures and were pleased to conclude that we are able to cooperate. Trust-building and the joint exercises serve the aim of us being able to defend every inch of NATO territory and our own countries.”

The meeting of chiefs of defence started with a conference, where the lecturers discussed four topics: the practical lessons learned on Exercise Adaptive Hussars 2025, the V4 cooperation in the fields of training and logistics, the challenges faced by the Hungarian reserve system concerning recruitment, and the XR/VR research at the VIKI Defence Innovation Research Institute.

After the plenary sessions, the members of the delegation went to the “0 Point” Central Shooting Range and Training Area, where they were given a glimpse into the LIVEX phase of Exercise Breakthrough 2025. Augmented with Slovak tank crews, the 11th Tank Battalion of the HDF 1st Armored Brigade carried out a live fire exercise (LFX). In cooperation with Slovak and Polish fire units, the 1st Self-propelled Artillery Battalion of the HDF 1st Armored Brigade practiced activities in firing position, fire coordination and fire support within the frame of a spectacular and complex phase.