We have set our sights on consolidating the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base

“This exercise is not only a training event, but also a critical step in the field of developing common defence capabilities and facilitating future crisis management operations. The objective of our multinational exercise has been to promote peace and stability, as we were protecting our shared values and focusing on improving the capabilities of rapid deployment forces during Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)” – said the chief of the HDF General Staff after observing – together with chiefs of defence of 26 EU member countries and several partner nations – Exercise Brave Warrior 24-EU following the static and dynamic displays of the new and modern military equipment of the Hungarian Defence Forces procured within the framework of the military development program.

General Dr. Gábor Böröndi reminded his audience that the complex exercise – which was being conducted by involving military units and capabilities of EU member states – laid the emphasis on tactical planning and air-ground integration. The main objectives were the planning, coordination and conduct of operations, the training of multinational units and the evaluation of the Hungarian light infantry company declared to the European Union Battle Group 25 (EUBG 25). As he said, in the interest of guaranteeing the security of EU citizens and strengthening our economic competitiveness, we must give joint responses to security challenges. He underlined that “the current security situation calls for coordinated efforts”.

At a press conference following the event, Austrian General Robert Brieger, Chairman, European Union Military Committee (EUMC) said thanks to the Hungarian Defence Forces for the successful demonstration of this precise and spectacular phase of the exercise. The military leader noted that the exercise “underscores our shared commitment to ensuring peace and security for Europe”. He added that the exercise and the gained expertise definitely support the skills and makes the implementation of operational procedures smoother. “The shared commitment shows the potential that is inherent in the armed forces of the European Union” – he summed up.

The official session of the European Union Military Committee was held at Castle Garden Bazaar in Budapest on Monday and Tuesday. The Council of the European Union set up the military body in 2001, which is composed of chiefs of defence of the 27 EU member states, who are mostly represented by their national permanent military representatives at the weekly sessions of the Military Committee. The EUMC is the forum of military consultation and cooperation among EU member states in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management directed by the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EUMC controls all military activities of the European Union, in particular the military missions and operations conducted within the framework of the Common Security And Defence Policy (CSDP) as well as the development of military capabilities.

Every six months, the EUMC holds a session at Chiefs of Defence level, and the current one has been its first series of sessions in Budapest. Breaking with the tradition, besides the 26 EU member states, the chiefs of defence of several Western Balkan partner nations also attended the event.

The whole of the complex military exercise Brave Warrior 24-EU centered on field training events and integration training, as it focused on live firing exercises, the practice of tactics, techniques and procedures and the comprehensive evaluation of the Hungarian company. Besides the Hungarian units, Croatian, Romanian, Slovak and Slovenian troops also participated in today’s dynamic demonstration, which involved assets such as the Mistral short-range air defence (SHORAD) missile system, the Skylark reconnaissance drone and the Gidrán multi-role armored tactical vehicle. Within the framework of a static display, the guests had the opportunity to see the state-of-the-art equipment of the Hungarian Defence Forces, among them the Leopard 2A7HU main battle tank, the Lynx KF41 armored infantry fighting vehicle, the PzH 2000HU self-propelled howitzer and several other assets. The joint character of the exercise was ensured with the participation of two JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft and the newly procured H145M and H225M transport helicopters of the Hungarian air force, as well as the multinational Special Operations Air Task Group (SOATG) composed of the Bulgarian, Hungarian and Slovak nations.

While on the spot, General Dr. Gábor Böröndi told us that he considers the phase of the exercise – accomplished by the Hungarian Defence Forces together with the units of EU member states stationed in Hungary – to be militarily well-planned, thoroughly organized, and capable of giving adequate responses to intricate air- and land-based challenges. “We have seen how the troops were preparing for the evacuation of civilian VIPs, how they can secure this operation, and how the foreign nations can cooperate in the interest of providing the European Union with a credible military force. Besides all these, this day is dedicated to demonstrating that the objectives of the Strategic Compass are achievable: the generation of a credible military force, the setting up of a 5000-strong rapid reaction force (EU Rapid Deployment Capability – RDC) and the training of the European Union Battle Groups (EUBGs)” – he said in summing up the exercise.

The chief of the HDF General Staff told us that the Hungarian armed forces are participating in every EUBG, so currently also in the Polish-led V4 EUBG. “The European Union has a number of tasks inside the borders of the community, but is also conducting a combined operation with NATO as well: currently, EUFOR Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina has a Hungarian commander in the person of Major General László Sticz PhD” – he recalled, pointing out that the European Union Military Committee has been impressed by the scale of the development of the Hungarian armed forces and the successful adoption of the new training system.