The Hungarian Defence Forces

 

Hungary's first independent national defence force was formed about 150 years ago. On 15 March 1848 a revolution broke out against Austrian oppression in Pest-Buda (the name of Budapest at the time). The leaders of the revolution proclaimed their demands in twelve points, one of which was the creation of an independent .Hungarian army. Subsequently, the Diet - which was then in session at Pressburg (now Bratislava) - declared in a resolution the need to establish a National Guard. The first responsible Hungarian Government was appointed on 7 April 1848 and took the oath of office four days, later. From the very beginning the Government recognised the urgency of creating an independent Hungarian Army able to protect the achievements of the Hungarian revolution, which had been fought in the name of key European ; values. On 16 May the Government passed a resolution on the formation of a volunteer army of 10,000 persons. On 11 July the Diet approved the establishment of an army of 200,000 soldiers and the allocation of 42 million forints for the defence of the nation. By that time the conversion of companies of national guardsmen and militiamen into the first battalions of the National Army had begun. Thousands of volunteers took the oath of allegiance to a new standard which carried the image of the Virgin Mary on a white background, bordered by red, white, and green triangles. Later on, the deterioration of the military situation made it necessary to introduce conscription - villages and towns were required to send two conscripts for every 127 inhabitants. By December 1848 Hungary had managed to form and equip an armed force of about 110,000. By the autumn of 1849 the Hungarian War of Independence had been put down by the stronger autocratic forces. The armed struggle for civil transition, national self-determination, and independence had failed. However, the heroic efforts of the Hungarian soldiers had not been in vain: the obstacles which had blocked Hungarian civic development had been destroyed forever.
Today's Hungarian Defence Forces consider themselves the successors of the Hungarian National Army of 1848- 49. In 1990 the Hungarian Army was renamed the Honvédség (literally `Homeland Defence Force`) because to Hungarians this name is synonymous with profound emotional commitment and self-sacrificing patriotism: the honvéd (literally `defender of the homeland`), ready to sacrifice his life to defend Hungary's freedom and independence, is the ideal for all Hungarian soldiers.
The Hungarian Defence Forces foster the `honvéd` traditions of the revolution and War of Independence of 1848-49: the Battle of Pákozd, where the Hungarian Defence Force won its first victory, chasing the troops of Governor Jellacic of Croatia out of the country, is commemorated on 29 September every year. Another important celebration is 21 May, the day of the volunteer Hungarian Defence Force: on that day in 1849 the Hungarian Defence Force retook the castle of Buda from the Austrians, the high point of the successful spring campaign. Since 1990 the Hungarian Defence Forces have once again used the standard of the 1848-49 revolution and War of Independence. Made of white silk, it is bordered by red, white, and green triangles and ornamented with the national coat of arms on one side and an image of the Virgin Mary, Patroness of Hungarians, on the other. It is also significant that on 15 March 1848 the leaders of the revolution demanded that Hungarian soldiers should take an oath on the Constitution. Their wish has come true: Hungarian soldiers now take the military oath at the beginning of their service.
The Emperor of Austria punished the Hungarian people for the revolution and War of Independence of 1848-49 with reprisals and repression. As a result of the agreement of 1867 - the historic `Compromise` between Austria and Hungary - the so-called `Dual Monarchy` of Austria-Hungary was established, which organised a joint military force. For purposes of military administration, Austria and Hungary were divided into 103 districts, 47 of which were in Hungary. The wartime strength of the imperial and royal armed forces was set at 800,000, its peacetime strength at 250,000. On average Hungary was obliged to provide the armed forces with over 40,000 recruits each year. Until 1913, when the artillery was established, the armed forces consisted only of infantry and cavalry units. At the beginning of the First World War the number of men of military age was 4,817,000, of which 3,381,758 entered military service.
For the Hungarian Defence Forces, participation in the two world wars had disastrous consequences. During the four years of the First World War, 530,000 Hungarian soldiers died, over 500,000 were wounded, and over 800,000 were taken prisoner. In the Second World War between 340,000 and 360,000 soldiers were killed, while bombing raids and ground hostilities accounted for the lives of 45,000 civilians.
Hungary was among the founding members of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation in 1955: this was of decisive importance for the status, activities, and development of the armed forces for the following decades.

Transforming the Hungarian Defence Forces - Preparations for NATO Membership

The Hungarian Defence Forces entered a period of radical transformation after the world left behind the era of bipolar opposition and Hungary went through a change of political system. The inevitable reform of the armed forces was motivated by two factors: first, the general need for democratic development and modernisation, and second, the commencement of preparations in Hungary for NATO membership.
Prior to the first free parliamentary elections in 1990 the Hungarian Armed Forces were oversized, unduly concerned with ideological considerations, and of an offensive orientation. Once the Government of the Republic of Hungary : regained the power of self-determination, it worked to create a national armed force of a more modest size, and one which was more effective and more modern than its predecessor, and of a defensive character.
The political and legislative decisions needed to realise these aims were made in the period between 1990 and 1994: the Basic Principles of Security Policy, the Basic Principles of National Defence, and the National Defence Act were adopted. The length of compulsory military service was reduced to twelve months. Unarmed military service and civil service were introduced. Field chaplains have commenced pastoral work. The Hungarian Defence Forces have expanded their network of international relations. The training of Hungarian career soldiers has started in Western military colleges, something which has contributed significantly to transforming attitudes and ways of thinking within the armed forces.
By declaring Hungary's strong commitment to NATO membership the Government programme of June 1994 accelerated the transformation of the Hungarian Defence Forces. In summer 1995 the Hungarian Parliament adopted Resolution 88/1995 (6 July) which made the reform of the armed forces more concrete. The Resolution defined tasks in general terms for the period until 2005 ; and in concrete terms until 1998, with : special emphasis on tasks related to NATO accession.
By late 1997 the first stage of the reform of the Hungarian Defence Forces - mostly quantitative, macro-level changes - had been completed. Tangible results had been achieved.
In 1989 the peacetime strength of the Hungarian Defence Forces was 155,000. Today it is 53,150, in accordance with the relevant resolution of the Hungarian Parliament. Nearly half of the former military organisations and over 100 military facilities have ceased operation.
As part of the reform, structural and organisational changes have been made in order to enhance the multifaceted interoperability of the Hungarian Defence Forces in accordance with NATO requirements. The command and control system has been transformed. On 1 September 1997 a combined Defence Staff was set up as well as General Staffs for the different branches of the armed forces - they fulfill the traditional functions of General Staffs in accordance with the practice of NATO countries. The structure of the Hungarian Defence Forces has been transformed: the Army, the Air Force, and the General Directorate for Logistics are the main organisational components.
The reorganisation of the armed forces has begun from regular and skeleton units into mixed forces consisting of enlisted soldiers and conscripts. In November 1997 a new system of conscript training was introduced. Under the new system conscripts spend the first three months of their military service in two national training centres - in four garrisons - where they receive basic training and individual training. Then they are given platoon-, company-, and battalion level unit training. The professional character of the armed forces has been strengthened - the proportion of enlisted soldiers has been increased. Efforts have been made to evolve a new promotion system for officers and to create a new type of non-commissioned officer corps. Civilian control over the Hungarian Defence Forces has also been strengthened.
The ability of the Hungarian Defence Forces to co-operate with NATO military systems has been greatly improved. The basis of intellectual compatibility and interoperability with NATO has been laid down. A large number of officers and non-commissioned officers are now enrolled in language courses. Training has been modernised in accordance with NATO standards. Hungary is now able to ensure host-nation support for reinforcements. The Hungarian Defence Forces have joined NATO's integrated air defence system. Designated units have been prepared to participate in the reaction forces. The early warning system and the mobilisation system have been transformed in harmony with NATO norms, and the availability of standby units has been improved in accordance with requirements. The principles of collective defence are fully taken into consideration when decisions are made concerning technical modernisation.
Thanks to the reform process the Hungarian Defence Forces will be ready to serve as a full member of NATO's integrated military organisation from the very first day of accession.

Security and Defence Policy

National defence is a matter of the highest public interest in Hungary. The Republic of Hungary requires, as a tool of its security policy, armed forces able to ensure reliable defence and to contribute to the common security of NATO. Our defence policy is based on the interdependence of the alliance, cooperation, deterrence, and defence. Hungary fully identifies itself with NATO's principles concerning collective security and defence - it shall maintain and develop its capability to repel an armed attack in accordance with the basic principles enshrined in the North Atlantic Treaty.
The paramount mission of the Hungarian Defence Forces is to protect Hungary's sovereignty and territorial integrity and, acting on the basis of the North Atlantic Treaty, to contribute to NATO's collective defence. Their additional tasks include participation in other joint allied missions, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions under the auspices of international organisations, and efforts to reduce the harmful effects of major industrial and natural disasters. In keeping with its commitments and for the benefit of common defence Hungary is ready to make available an appropriate military force and, commensurate with its capabilities, to contribute to other NATO missions. In accordance with the basic principles of defence policy the Hungarian Defence Forces shall do everything possible to promote regional security and stability by actively participating in bilateral and multilateral military co-operation.

The Hungarian Defence Forces as Part of the Allied Forces

Military service is compulsory for men in Hungary from the age of 18. Between 6,000 and 7,000 young men are enrolled four times a year for a period of nine months. In addition to conscripts and career soldiers, the number of enlisted soldiers is growing.
In 1994 the proportion of conscripts in the Hungarian Defence Forces was 52.8 per cent - by 1998 this number had been reduced to 33.3 per cent. In the same period the proportion of career and enlisted soldiers increased from 22.6 per cent to 47.3 per cent.
The Hungarian Defence Forces consist of two main components: Ground Forces and the Air Force. The armed forces have three principal categories: reaction forces, main defence forces, and national support forces.
The reaction forces include immediate reaction units and rapid reaction units. These are combat-ready also in peacetime. The reaction forces have the following functions: alert duty, participation in crisis management, the fulfillment of Hungary's international commitments, and participation in rescue operations in the case of natural disasters. In both the Ground Forces and the Air Force the reaction forces consist of units of highly trained personnel capable of immediate or rapid reaction and of participation in military operations independently at home and in co-operation with the troops of other nations abroad.
If the reaction forces are not sufficient, the main defence forces have the responsibility of defending the country. The main defence forces consist of combat forces, combat support forces, territorial defence forces, and reserve forces, which may take part in military operations independently - chiefly within Hungary or as a part of the Allied Forces. One of their functions is to ensure conditions for the reception and support of NATO forces on Hungarian soil. The forces designated for this latter function are called host-nation forces. Although the reaction forces are made up mostly of career and enlisted soldiers, for the foreseeable future compulsory military service will be necessary for the fulfillment of basic and national support tasks.

Ground Forces

The Hungarian ground forces are commanded by the Ground Forces General Staff. Subordinate to the General Staff are two divisional commands: the Second and the Third Mechanised Division Commands. A number of other units are directly subordinate to the General Staff.
The Second Mechanised Division is tasked with providing basic training for conscripts and training them for special assignments in training centres on the Great Hungarian Plain and in Transdanubia. The same division is also charged with contributing to the main defence forces in case of mobilisation.
The Third Mechanised Division is responsible for ensuring the backbone of the reaction forces. It must be ready at all times to deal with tasks deriving from the mission of the ground forces. The main ground force components are the mechanised infantry and the armoured corps, which have high mobility and considerable fire power.

Armaments - Ground Forces

152 mm howitzers 220 122 mm self-propelled howitzers 131 122 mm howitzers 164 T 72 main battle tanks 192 T 55 main battle tanks 292 BMP tracked combat vehicles 347 BTR-80 armoured personnel carriers 499 MISTRAL air defence missile sites 15

Air Force

The Air Force also has its own General Staff. The main tasks of the Air Force in peacetime, crisis situations, or war are as follows: close co-operation with the ground forces to protect the sovereignty of the territory and air space of the Republic of Hungary. If required, the Air Force shall take part in remedying the consequences of natural or industrial disasters, extending humanitarian assistance, and fulfilling other support tasks.
In pursuit of its aims the General Staff of the Air Force can rely on air units, air defence missile units, and electronic war-fare sub-units.
In the course of modernising the Air Force an Air Sovereignty Operation . Centre (ASOC) has already been established and new 3D radar systems will be deployed. This will improve Hungary's ability to join NATO's integrated air defence system. The purchase of advanced tactical aircraft has also been put on the agenda.

Armaments - Air Force

MiG 29 27
MiG 21 22
The air force is also equipped with Mi-24, Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-2 helicopters.

NATO's `Partnership for Peace` Programme and the Hungarian Defence Forces

Participation in NATO's `Partnership for Peace` (PfP) programme was the first step towards establishing the interoperability of the Hungarian Defence Forces. Hungary joined NATO's `Partnership for Peace` programme in 1994 and as a result undertook the following:
- to render its defence budget transparent;
- to increase the democratic character of the leadership of the armed forces;
- to participate in joint military exercises related to peacekeeping operations;
- to render its armed forces capable of taking part in joint o
perations with NATO forces in the fields of peacekeeping, search and rescue, and humanitarian activities. In response to a NATO survey of the interoperability of the PfP countries, the, Hungarian Defence Forces pledged to achieve interoperability objectives by the end of the period 1995-97. These objectives concerned the following: search and rescue operations, compatibility of air traffic control equipment, standardisation of air traffic procedures, compatibility of communications equipment, the language requirements of staff officers, and installation of a NATO-compatible `friend or foe` system for the Air Force.
The Hungarian Defence Forces feel special responsibility for the security of the region. For that reason - and in accordance with the spirit of PfP - they consistently strive to promote and expand relations and co-operation with the defence forces of neighbouring countries. The establishment of a joint Hungarian-Romanian peacekeeping battalion is under way. It is a noteworthy achievement that the staff of the joint battalion has already been created and in 1998 took part in the `Co-operative Determination` exercise in Bulgaria. The establishment of a joint Hungarian-Slovenian-Italian peacekeeping brigade is also under way, another important development from the point of view of regional security.
The Partnership for Peace programme made it possible for Hungary to take part in NATO's political and security system and in NATO's Planning and Review Process.
The Hungarian Defence Forces have designated units to participate in the Partnership for Peace programme. They are ground units from Tata, Hódmezõvásárhely, and Szolnok, as well as the Hungarian Engineer Contingent, a helicopter squadron, a transport helicopter squadron, and two search and rescue helicopters. These units also form the core of the national forces assigned to NATO activities.
Under the auspices of the Individual Partnership Programme, numerous joint exercises, courses, conferences, and NATO orientation courses have taken place. Hungary was the scene of the following exercises: 1995 - Co-operative Light and Combat Rescue; 1996 - Co-operative Chance and the staff exercise Trimigrant; 1997 - a Hungarian unit of 46 persons travelled to the United States to take part in the Co-operative Nugget '97 military exercise, in which all 18 PfP countries and 5 NATO countries participated; 1998 - Hungary was the scene of the Co-operative Lantern staff exercise under the aegis of PfP. Hungarian soldiers and observers have taken part in military exercises abroad on several occasions, mainly in other countries in the region, as well as in other countries in Europe and in NATO countries overseas.
Hungary is represented by its NATO Mission in Brussels. Hungarian officers also serve in the Partnership for Peace Co-ordination Cell at the Supreme Headquarters of Allied Powers Europe. Hungary comes under the leadership of Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH), which is located in Naples. Work has begun to integrate Hungary into NATO's command structure. The Hungarian Defence Forces may send 73 officers of varying ranks to various NATO command organisations, located in Brussels, Mons, Naples, and other important locations.

Participation in SFOR-IFOR Operations

Since 1996 the Hungarian Defence Forces have been taking part in NATO-led multinational peace support operations within the framework of IFOR, then of SFOR. In accordance with the relevant resolution of the Hungarian Parliament, multilateral co-operation covers three areas: (i) the Republic of Hungary shall ensure transit across its territory and air space for nations taking part in operations of this kind; (ii) it shall provide host-nation support for troops of the contingent stationed in Hungary (US troops are stationed at Taszár, and soldiers from five northern European countries belonging to the Nordic Support Brigade are stationed at Pécs); (iii) it shall contribute an engineering contingent to help the operations of the implementation forces.
The Hungarian Parliament approved the despatch of 500 persons for the IFOR mission. The Hungarian engineering contingent has been stationed near Okucani in Croatia. As for the SFOR mission, the number of Hungarian soldiers serving in the southern Slav region is at present 280. During the IFOR-SFOR operation the Hungarian engineering contingent has accomplished nearly 200 tasks of various characters and magnitudes. They include building and operating 28 bridges of different types and sizes and laying 65 kilometres of railway track. Twenty-seven kilometers of road have been restored. In addition, it has carried out terrain furnishing, snow and ice removal, mine sweeping, water search and underwater reconnaissance. Hungarian divers have made 1,700 dives. Hungarian experts have carried out mine , clearance over an area of 102,000 square meters. Special mention should be made of Hungary's participation in the restoration of the `Old Bridge` of Mostar which had been destroyed.

Peacekeeping

The Republic of Hungary has been taking an active part in the multinational peacekeeping operations of the United Nations and the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Since August 1988 nearly 500 Hungarian officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted soldiers have undertaken observation service in 16 UN, OSCE, and other multinational peacekeeping missions and observation peacekeeping operations in crisis zones around the world: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tajikistan, Angola, Georgia, Bosnia, Nagorno Karabakh, Liberia, and Egypt.
In 1997, 24 Hungarian army officers acted as observers in six missions, winning the appreciation of both the UN and the OSCE Secretariat. In August 1995 a Hungarian peacekeeping contingent of 41 persons began operations in the Sinai peninsula in Egypt. There is a 107-strong Hungarian peacekeeping unit in Cyprus, where originally there was only a 39-strong rifle platoon.
The Hungarian Defence Forces are also active in the field of culture. Artistic ensembles from the armed forces give about 500 performances at home and abroad every year. The Central Orchestra of the Hungarian Defence Forces has nation-wide popularity, and garrison orchestras regularly give successful concerts. The culture centre of the Hungarian Defence Forces has a major library, and it often hosts theatrical performances, film shows, and educational courses. There are ten garrison clubs in Hungary. Among other things, they offer intensive language courses.
The Ministry of Defence and the General Staff consider it a priority to maintain - both consciously and continuously - public confidence and a favourable attitude to the Hungarian Defence Forces. Open days, air shows, and other occasions enable the public to become familiar with life in the barracks, soldiers' everyday activities, and military equipment. Hungarians also appreciate the fact that they can count on the assistance of the Hungarian Defence Forces to deal with the problems occasionally caused by natural disasters or adverse weather conditions.
A referendum on Hungary's NATO membership was held on 16 November 1998. Over 49 per cent of those eligible turned out, and 85.33 per cent of them (3.3 million persons) approved the application.

(Fact Sheets on Hungary 2/1999)

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