V4 Logistics Principals’ Meeting in Budapest

For 12 years now, the leading logisticians of the V4 countries have been regularly meeting to discuss current issues in logistic cooperation and the possible directions of joint capability building. The establishment of the V4 Joint Logistics Support Group Headquarters (V4 JLSG HQ) is a tangible result of successful cooperation, for which the need was expressed back in the year 2012. Since then, this initiative has already developed into a joint, deployable organization that is capable of functioning in full harmony with NATO procedures in accordance with NATO requirements. Last year, the V4 JLSG HQ successfully achieved full operational capability, so it has provided the Alliance with a permanent joint capability since 2023.

Colonel Tibor Szabó, Chief of Logistics Directorate, Hungarian Defence Forces General Staff received the Czech, Polish and Slovak senior logistics principals, namely Brigadier General Robert Bieleny, Brigadier General Mariusz Skulimowski and Colonel Karol Lipka. In addition, also present at the meeting held in Stefánia Palace were the commander of the Joint Logistics Support Group Brunssum Headquarters (JLSGBS HQ), the director of the Prague-based Multinational Logistics Coordination Centre (MLCC), as well as the representatives of the Bundeswehr Logistics Command in connection with the possible expansion of the German–Hungarian bilateral Structured Partnership in Logistics (SPIL) program.

At the meeting, the participants discussed the logistics-related experiences of the 2023 standby period of the V4 EU Battle Group, as well as the questions related to the sustainment of the V4 JLSG HQ capability and the continuous training and skills retention of its personnel. In connection with the latter, special attention was paid to the importance of the future expansion of the cooperation between the JLSGBS HQ and the V4 JLSG HQ and its possible directions.

In their presentation, the representatives of the Bundeswehr Logistics Command introduced the activity conducted in the framework of the Structured Partnership in Logistics (SPIL) program and the achieved results – with the declared intention of opening a gate for other V4 nations wishing to join the program.

The next V4 Logistics Principals’ Meeting will take place in the Czech Republic in the second half of 2024.