Socialist lawmaker Tamas Harangozo and Jobbik MP Laszlo Gyorgy Lukacs initiated the hearing of Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Norbert Tajti, the director-general of the Military National Security Service, pointing to press reports that the VBU had suffered an "unprecedented attack constituting a severe risk to national security". Harangozo complained that the committee had not been briefed on the attack.

Fidesz MP Lajos Kosa noted that the national security committee has been briefed on the case.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that cyberattacks were a frequent occurrence, and the group that attacked VBU had recently obtained similar data from the authority's Czech counterpart.

As an independent company, VBU is responsible for the security of its own IT system, which was not connected to that of the Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry or the Military National Security Service, he said.

This, Szalay-Bobrovniczky added, was a guarantee that no data pertaining to military capacity or national security had been divulged.

An assessment of the exact data stolen is under way, he said, adding that the data on procurements leaked so far had been in the public domain before the attack.

"The government neither negotiates with criminals nor pays them," he said, adding that an international investigation is under way. He noted that he had also launched an inquiry and removed the then-head of the agency. The new head of VBU, Major General Attila Simon, has a background in special operations, he added.

DefMin: Aim is to build high-readiness military with high operational value

Hungary’s goal is to build a high-readiness, digitalised, nationally minded defence force with a high operational value, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky told parliament's defence and law enforcement committee on Tuesday.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky told the committee at his annual hearing that the country’s military had already taken big steps towards achieving this goal.

He said the world had entered “an era of dangers”, and the coming period before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office in late January would be “particularly dangerous”.

Concerning the war in Ukraine, the minister said only peace talks and a ceasefire could guarantee that “the situation doesn’t slip out of the hands of pro-war decision-makers”.

As regards the situation in Syria, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said it was “unacceptable” and “unfathomable amateurism” that “a part of the press and certain politicians wanted to gain a domestic political advantage out of a situation that is dangerous to us”.

Concerning Africa, the minister said Hungary was committed to addressing problems where they arise. The country therefore devotes special attention to the Sahel region and has provided complex aid that includes diplomacy, developments and support for the defence forces in Chad, he said. The minister added that preparations were complete, and Hungary’s mission could get under way once it is approved by Chad’s parliament.

As regards the Western Balkans, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said European Union membership would help ease tensions in the countries in the region, “but Ukraine is more of a priority for the EU in this regard”.

He said Hungary’s goal was to build a high-readiness, digitalised, nationally minded defence force with a high operational value, adding that the government had taken a number of measures in order to achieve this goal.

“Now is the time to be a soldier,” the minister said, noting pay rises in the military and that military personnel older than 55 have to be employed in public administration.

Hungary is constantly procuring new military equipment which are being entered into service, he noted.

As regards the recruitment campaign launched by the Hungarian Armed Forces in the summer, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said 3,500 young Hungarians have been recruited and their training is ongoing.

Hungarian forces are serving in observer, training and peacekeeping missions in eight countries on three continents, he said, adding that the country hit its target of 2 percent of GDP defence spending in 2023.

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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