Hungary should develop an infantry unit by 2023, set up a new helicopter fleet, strengthen special operational capabilities and develop stabilisation and reconstruction capabilities – all in line with its national interests, he told a meeting of military and air attaches in Budapest.

As key conditions of success, Hende mentioned Hungary's NATO-conform strategic planning system and the government's guarantee for gradually increasing the defence budget.

Hungary's defence-budget-to-GDP ratio, however, is still the third lowest in NATO, he said.

The minister praised the achievements of Hungarian troops serving in peacekeeping missions last year. Concerning next year's tasks, Hende said that Hungary should complete its ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission and prepare for the subsequent advisory mission in Afghanistan.

With troops withdrawn from Afghanistan, Hungary sees a chance for beefing up its peacekeeping force in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo in in the Western Balkans.

Hende noted that Hungary had taken over the presidency of the Visegrad Four group (V4) of countries for the second half of 2013. Priorities of the presidency include developing joint positions for the European Council's December session to focus on the future of the common security and defence policy, coordinating preparations for setting up a V4 army group within the EU, and harmonising the four countries' defence planning and procurement plans.

Source: Ministry of Defence