Tibor Benkő is an expert on the past and present of the Hungarian Defence Force and has firm plans with relation to its future as Minister of Defence, the current Chief of Staff said at his hearing before a joint session of Parliament’s Defence and National Security Committees on Monday.

Mr. Benkő highlighted: Thanks to his 43 years of military service his knowledge of being a soldier is not based on hearsay, other people’s accounts or textbooks. During his career he has had the opportunity to gain insight into both the good and bad sides of domestic and international political administration, civilian control, military leadership, and civilian and military diplomacy, he explained, characterising his credo in three words: patriotism, vocation and commitment.

Colonel General Benkő said that amongst others he had accepted Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s invitation to become Minister of Defence because he can feel the support of the government, the Prime Minister and his soldiers, in addition to which he agrees with the government’s idea and intent, according to which a strong army is necessary to ensure the security of the Hungarian people.

Col. Gen. Tibor Benkő, who was born on 16 October 1955, told the Committee about his career in the Hungarian military, beginning as a platoon commander and moving up the ranks to become Chief of Staff eight years ago. His expectations as leader included the fact that civilian leaders and military officers alike must be strict, set requirements, serve as an example, and be humane.

The candidate for Minister said he is aware of the goals and of how to lead, as well as what soldiers and the Hungarian Defence Force need to successfully perform the activities required by law and thus serve the security of Hungary and the Hungarian people.

National capabilities must be developed in such a way that they can meet any and all future challenges, he said. It is only in this manner that we can become an even more recognised member of NATO, the Colonel General said, adding: he continues to regard our trans-Atlantic relations as being of strategic importance.

He also spoke about the fact that in the interests of reinforcing the European Union’s joint security and defence policy, Hungary is taking part in regular structured cooperation as a permanent member. From among these, he highlighted Hungary’s participation in the cyber security information exchange platform. He also mentioned participation in Visegrád Group (V4) cooperation, which, as he explained, has never before been as strong as it is today.

Col. Gen. Benkő stressed that we must also face a host of new challenges in the newly changed security environment, citing as examples hybrid and cyber warfare, and the increasing threat of terrorism worldwide, the “hotbed” of which is mass illegal migration, in his opinion. He also highlighted Islamic radicalisation and the existing military conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.

In the interests of being able to respond effectively and in a timely manner to these challenges, reorganising and assuring the leadership, organisational structure and commissioned military technology of the Hungarian Defence Force and of military training is indispensable, he stated.

He wishes to realise all this within the framework of the Zrinyi 2026 Defence and Military Development Programme, which has been adopted by the Government and given a suitable budget, the Ministerial candidate explained.

Col. Gen. Benkő highlighted the fact that the first, defence-related part of the Programme concerns the Hungarian Defence Force’s most important resources, its military personnel, with relation to which he said the Programme’s goals include reinforcing links between soldiers and society. He said it is important to each out to and recruit young people, and keep them in their chosen career. In addition, the Programme includes the modernisation of training and education, the establishment of a reserve system based on regional defence, and an improvement in conditions in military barracks, he indicated.

He also said the army needed more modern and effective gear and military equipment, which is the subject of the Zrinyi 2026 Programme’s military development section, which is built on the need to increase the capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Force.

The Colonel General received several questions from the members of both committees during his hearing as candidate for the post of Minister of Defence. Mr. Benkő stressed on several occasions that he disagrees with the assumption that a former soldier should not practice civilian control, with relation to which the Fidesz Chair of the Defence Committee said he was expecting the question to arise, and had therefore done some research and found that former members of the military had been appointed Minster of Defence in many Western countries and member states of the European Union. In reply to a question, the prospective Minister of Defence said the procurement of helicopters remains on the agenda, but there are no plans to reintroduce compulsory military service.

The prospective Minister also stated that the National Security Service will continue to be supervised by the Ministry of Defence, adding that the Prime Minister had described the Government’s plans to him and there “was absolutely no mention” of the removal of any spheres of competence from the Ministry. He stressed that military spending will be increased to 2 percent of GDP by 2024, and the Government’s intention is to keep it at that level.

Mr. Benkő Tibor also told the Committee that he has put forward Maj. Gen. Ferenc Korom as his candidate for the post of Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Defence Force.

Parliament’s Defence and Law Enforcement Committee approved Col. Gen. Benkő’s appointment as Minister of Defence with six votes in favour and two against, while the National Security Committee supported the appointment by a majority of four to two. Following the hearing, Tibor Benkő announced that he will be submitting a request to President of the Republic János Áder to be relieved of his duties as Chief of Staff.

(kormany.hu/MTI)