Turkey: A Key Strategic Partner in the Defense Industry
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır have met in Budapest to discuss opportunities for strengthening Hungary’s defense industry. This comes as a strategic move to provide new economic opportunities for the Hungarian economy.
During the press conference following their talks, Defense Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky highlighted the importance of continuing to build and strengthen the defense industry. He emphasized that the defense industry plays a vital role in meeting the needs of the Hungarian armed forces, serving as a driving force for the national economy.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky also pointed out that the Hungarian government recognized the need to start developing its armed forces around 2016, leading to the ongoing process supported by international strategic partners. Notable examples of international strategic cooperation can be seen in Várpalota and Zalaegerszeg, both located in western Hungary.
One of the key developments is the agreement reached in December 2020 to set up a plant for the production of medium and large-caliber ammunition in Várpalota, a project known as the Defense Industrial Park. The construction of the facility is already underway, and the Hungarian Defense Forces have also agreed to purchase around 218 Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 combat vehicles, with production primarily taking place in Hungary.
Moreover, the Defense Minister highlighted the importance of innovation and the establishment of the Defense Innovation Research Institute (VIKI), which is linked to the NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator (DIANA). This initiative aims to foster collaboration between Hungarian companies and major international partners in the field of defense innovation.
In the press conference, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized Türkiye as a strategic partner of Hungary, with a focus on intense cooperation in the military field. He praised Türkiye’s robust defense industry, built over several decades, and expressed the need to explore various cooperation opportunities.
Minister Kacır echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of scientific-innovation and defense industrial cooperation in Hungarian-Turkish relations. He mentioned the plan to declare 2025 as the Turkish-Hungarian year of science and innovation. The Turkish Minister underscored that Hungary is an important trade partner for Turkey, and the trade volume between the two countries has doubled in the last seventeen years, nearing the annual common target of USD 6 billion.
The strong partnership between Hungary and Türkiye in defense cooperation continues to flourish, laying the groundwork for further collaboration and economic growth in the defense industry. This meeting has paved the way for the establishment of an expert working group to manage future opportunities between the two nations.
