Broadening Defense Cooperation through Strategic Consultation in the U.S.
Lieutenant General Ferenc Kajári, Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff, recently completed a several-day official visit to the United States. During his visit, he met with Major General John C. Harris, Commander of the Ohio National Guard, to strengthen bilateral relations. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Kajári visited the Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, which plays a crucial role in shaping the future of NATO.
At the ACT, Lt. Gen. Kajári discussed the strategic warfare development of military structures, forces, capabilities, and doctrines with General Chris Badia, Deputy Supreme Commander. He also highlighted the modernization process of the Hungarian Defense Forces, focusing on capability development efforts and alignment with allied requirements.
During his visit to Norfolk, Lt. Gen. Kajári interacted with Hungarian soldiers stationed in the area, discussing current tasks and processes of the Hungarian Defense Forces. He then traveled to Columbus, Ohio, where he engaged in discussions with Major General John C. Harris to assess bilateral cooperation and identify areas for further development.
Lt. Gen. Kajári emphasized the importance of the 30-year partnership between the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard in enhancing cooperative capabilities, particularly in areas such as cyber defense, drone technology, and space operations. He underscored the significance of this partnership in preparing for future warfare scenarios.
The visit concluded with the Hungarian delegation observing the annual “Best Warrior Competition” organized by the Ohio National Guard. Hungarian soldiers participated in the competition, testing their skills and preparedness alongside soldiers from allied and partner nations.
The partnership between the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard dates back to 1993 when Hungary joined the U.S. State Partnership Program in collaboration with the Ohio National Guard. This program aims to link the National Guard of U.S. member nations with the armed forces of partner nations for mutual benefit.
Overall, Lt. Gen. Kajári’s visit to the United States was instrumental in strengthening ties between the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard, enhancing cooperation, and preparing for future challenges in defense and security.
