Hungary officially received the cutting-edge National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) at the 205th Air Defense Missile Regiment in Gyor on October 26. The ceremony was attended by Minister of National Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, who emphasized the critical role of ground-based air defense systems in safeguarding national sovereignty and security. This state-of-the-art air defense system is a crucial addition to the country’s military capabilities, which are undergoing transformation and rearmament. The minister also drew attention to global conflicts like the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing that these events underscore the key role played by ground-based air defense systems.
Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky spoke passionately about the importance of Hungary’s acquisition of the NASAMS air defense missile system, stating, “Hungary is getting stronger today. The Hungarian National Defense has acquired a capability through which the safety and property of the Hungarian people can be protected and guaranteed much better than before. It is of the utmost importance that Hungary, after its military forces were reduced for many years, is now able to rebuild its high-altitude and medium-range independent national defense capability”
Hungary’s commitment to enhancing its national defense was initiated with the signing of a contract on November 30, 2020, to purchase NASAMS air defense missile systems developed by Norwegian company Kongsberg and American firm Raytheon. This system is considered a world-leading air defense solution, with numerous nations, including the United States, Australia, Chile, Spain, Lithuania, and Oman, already deploying it. Notably, the Ukrainian armed forces used the NASAMS system in combat, showcasing its combat effectiveness. The NASAMS air defense missile system offers unparalleled flexibility through its networked control stations and utilizes the AMRAAM missiles, widely regarded as “extremely common, safe, excellent American-made weapons.” This system will replace an outdated Soviet-era air defense system in Gy?r’s air defense missile regiment.
The ceremonial handover of the NASAMS air defense missile system was a momentous occasion attended by high-ranking officials, including Lt. Gen. Ferenc Kajári, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Honvéd, and Colonel Tibor Mihály Matyi, commander of the Gy?r regiment. They, along with Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Lt. Col. Sándor Nagy, the commander of the NASAMS Air Defense Missile Department, officially received the equipment. The NASAMS air defense missile system’s acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in Hungary’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities, ensuring the safety and security of its people and contributing to the collective defense of NATO. The event was also attended by government officials, military leaders, and representatives of defense industry companies, reinforcing the significance of this endeavor for Hungary’s national defense.
