Troubled military faces shakeup: Hungary!

Troubled military faces shakeup

DEFENSE Minister Ferenc Juhasz has ordered a comprehensive capability review of Hungary’s defense forces and announced that the Government had asked NATO for additional time to formulate its next bi-annual offer of forces to the alliance.

During a subsequent press briefing, spokesman Zoltán J Gál announced the Cabinet had formulated the response it would give to NATO latest defense planning questionnaire, which all member countries periodically submit. Gál added that the review was necessary due to the “alarming” state of defense planning to date. Juhasz said the review will also examine all defense procurement contracts, including the Ft108 billion ($390 million) contract signed between Hungary and Sweden last year for the lease of 14 BAE-SAAB Gripen fighter aircraft due to enter service in 2005.

Juhasz said the current fighter fleet of 29 MiG-29 Fulcrum interceptors would be upgraded by Russian firm RSK-MiG to enable them to continue operation until the introduction of the Gripens in 2005.

Juhasz also said reviews of several other high-value contracts would be undertaken, including the Ft36 billion ($130 million) radio equipment contract pending with Norwegian electronics firm Kongsberg Defense Communica-tions. The Defense Minister said further talks between the contractor and ministry officials would be called.

“We are aware of the press reports on the matter, naturally any reforms to fit the requirements of the modern era are welcome,” said NATO spokesman Mark Laity.

Defense and intelligence expert and former Defense Ministry adviser Sebestyén Gorka said the reforms were desperately needed.

“Currently there are effectively two Hungarian armies – the one designated for NATO operations which is well-trained and well equipped, and the other 85% which is seriously under-equipped and underfunded,” he said. “There have been eight or nine nominal reforms of the armed forces since the change of regime so far, so we will have to wait and see whether or not this is just another.”
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