On January 19, the Hungarian Atlantic Council (MAT) hosted an online presentation on Hungary’s National Military Strategy, adopted on June 24, 2021. The keynote speaker was Dr. Gergely Németh, Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy at the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.
Dr. Németh outlined the goals and vision of this strategic document, which replaces Government Resolution 1035/2012. The new strategy marks a major shift: Hungary is now fully engaged in transforming the capabilities of its armed forces and the broader defence sector to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century.
He emphasized that the strategy serves as guidance for the Hungarian Defence Forces and the defence establishment as a whole. Unlike earlier approaches, it takes a comprehensive view of national defence, integrating the role of the military with public and state administration, to address security challenges in a broader context.
The strategy is not only important for Hungary but also sends a clear message to allies and potential adversaries: Hungary understands the evolving security environment and is committed to strengthening its national defence. The Hungarian Defence Forces’ mission set and strategic objectives are defined in line with threats and challenges, grounded in the realities of Hungary’s geography, economy, and international obligations.
Given the limited economic resources, defence transformation must be modular and goal-oriented, aligning closely with national priorities and capabilities. The strategy is also a response to doctrinal shifts initiated by NATO after 2014 and places emphasis on Hungary’s national resilience, international cooperation, and military interoperability, especially within NATO and regional partnerships.
Dr. Németh stressed that the soldier remains at the centre of Hungary’s Defence and Armed Forces Development Program. The end result will be a renewed Hungarian Defence Force, backed by a robust defence industry and a stable defence budget.
Importantly, Hungary does not define itself through adversaries, but rather through credible deterrence, relying on both national capabilities and the strength of international alliances. “We must prepare today for the security of tomorrow,” he said, noting that force development—such as standing up a new brigade—can take 5 to 15 years.
The strategy acknowledges that global trends and crises can impact Hungary’s security, reinforcing the need for an integrated operational environment that considers diplomatic, economic, technological, and informational factors.
Hungary aspires to become a leading actor in Central and Eastern European defence cooperation—not necessarily by fielding the largest army, but by playing a central role in multinational efforts. Examples include the Multinational Division Centre (MND-C) in Székesfehérvár and the Regional Special Operations Component Command in Szolnok, developed in partnership with Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Slovakia to support NATO operations.
Following the presentation, Dr. Németh engaged in a Q&A session, discussing topics such as a potential European Union armed force, Hungary’s role in EU defence policy, space as a future operational domain, and Hungary’s pioneering engagement with Central Asian countries.
This session highlighted the complexity of today’s security challenges and Hungary’s commitment to proactive, integrated, and forward-looking defence planning within the Euro-Atlantic community.
