Szalay-Bobrovniczky: Hungary must continue to increase defence capabilities
Besides the war in Ukraine, Hungary must also pay attention to security challenges such as illegal migration, terrorism and cyber threats, Szalay-Bobrovniczky told parliament’s defence committee.
“We are on the side of peace; we don’t want to be part of the war,” he said. The duty of the Armed Forces of Hungary is to guarantee peace and uphold security, he said.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that Prime Minister Viktor Orban also told parliament earlier this week that ensuring the country’s peace and security were priorities.
If Hungary is not capable of defending itself because it is “weak” in terms of military technology and personnel, it could become a target, he warned.
Therefore the country must build a strong, confident, well-equipped and competent army, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, adding that he intended to continue Hungary’s ongoing military development scheme. He underlined the need to increase the defence budget and continue the military development programme.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky also talked about the importance of offering soldiers a career model that makes it easy to join the military and return to society after service.
He said his background in diplomacy would make NATO and other international relations an important part of his job.
Asked about the possibility that the Honved military hospital could be overseen by the interior ministry under the new government, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the new government structure would not go against NATO requirements or hurt the country’s military-health capabilities.
In response to another question, he said there was no conscription in Hungary, “and that’s how it will stay”.
Concerning military development, he highlighted the modernisation of individual equipment and air defence development as priorities.
The committee supported Szalay-Bobrovniczky’s nomination with four votes in favour and two abstentions.