Hungary – During a visit to Tel Aviv by his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant on the 5th of December, Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky reiterated Hungary’s unconditional support for Israel following the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. This bilateral meeting also led to the signing of a military cooperation agreement between Hungary and Israel.

‘’We stand unconditionally by our allies in difficult times’’

The Hungarian defence minister reiterated his government’s position of solidarity with the Jewish state and its support for Israel’s right to defend itself in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky also revealed that in addition to current security and defence issues, he had also reviewed bilateral military relations and defence industry cooperation between Hungary and Israel with Yoav Gallant. The heads of the defence Israeli companies ELBIT and RAFAEL, and IAI also took part in these negotiations.

Signing of an Israeli-Hungarian military cooperation agreement

During the visit, the Hungarian-Israeli Military Cooperation Agreement (MoU) was signed, which is a precondition for further defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.

The Hungarian Defence Minister pointed out that the renewal of Hungary’s army defence was one of the pillars of Budapest’s current defence policy, hence the need to deepen Hungary’s ties with Israel: ‘’The Hungarian government purchased elements of the well-known and respected Israeli Iron Dome radar system, which – together with the American-Norwegian NASAMS missile system – form Hungary’s 21st century high-tech air defence system’’ said Szalay-Bobrovniczky in his statement.

Hungary is also involved in the acquisition of Hero loitering munitions (better known as ‘kamikaze drones’), designed by the Israeli company Vision and manufactured but the German Rheinmettall. The deliveries are set to begin in 2024 and conclude in 2025.

A meeting in the midst of war

Tel Aviv was hit by an air strike on his way to the airport at the end of his visit to Israel, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Tuesday. The minister said on his Facebook page that after a notification on an app, a few seconds later, the Iron Dome radar system could be heard „highlighting” the missiles fired at the city.

He said that everyone was much disciplined, „it seems to be a routine here”.”This is life in Israel now. For peace, we need strength, we will continue to work,” the minister concluded.