Black Swan 2017 – Exemplary Performance

“The Hungarian Special Operations Forces capability has significantly strengthened over the last period. The knowledge that our soldiers have acquired is more and more solid", Dr. István Simicskó said, adding that the above earns appreciation from our allies too, as proven by the fact that for the first time, Hungary has now been assigned the lead role of a multinational exercise, which has so far always been led by the Americans. The minister of defence emphasized that our NATO ally, the United States is also satisfied to see this spectacular increase in the Hungarian SOF capability.

Dr. István Simicskó noted that in the framework of the recently launched Zrínyi 2026 national defence and armed forces development program, Hungary has committed itself to spending 2 per cent of the national GDP on defence by 2024. “This is a significant opportunity for the modernization and development of the Hungarian Defence Forces", the minister said, underlining that the SOF capability demonstrated on the DV Day is an important element of this program. The minister emphasized that the aim is to reorganize the HDF 2nd vitéz Bertalan Árpád Special Operations Forces Regiment into a brigade.

In his speech delivered at the event, President of Hungary János Áder said that Hungary and its economy are strong enough to implement the Zrínyi 2026 national defence and armed forces development program, which increases the Hungarian people’s sense of security. According to the head of state, the now demonstrated exercises help the Hungarians to take part in international engagements as effectively and successfully as possible, which will earn them further esteem. He added that he hopes that the Hungarian soldiers will never find themselves in a situation where they have to use their skills in live situations under tactical circumstances.

The President of Hungary stated that the Hungarian soldiers are exercising alongside the “sons" of other nations so that they can fully carry out at least four tasks in the near future. He explained that protecting the borders of Hungary is the Hungarian soldiers’ constitutional duty; another duty of them is to fulfil the tasks arising from commitments to international alliances, primarily to NATO; and yet another task, which is at least as important as this, is the engagement in international peace support missions inside and outside Europe. Furthermore, disaster management has requested substantial military assistance in the recent period, János Áder noted, referring to the latest great flood on River Danube, which would not have been brought effectively under control without the Hungarian Defence Forces.

The dynamic display of the DV Day featured a small recce team that was airdropped to what was an “enemy" airfield under the exercise scenario. After landing, the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) requested close air support from the JAS-39 Gripens on standby in the area, and the rapid reaction forces were deployed after the air strike. Having been inserted by helicopter, the SOF troops seized the objective – a building – in no time, thereby successfully accomplishing the mission assigned to them.

The visitors of the DV Day included several ambassadors, as well as Commander Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) Maj.-Gen. Mark Schwartz; Tamás Harangozó, Vice-Chairman, Committee on Defence and Law Enforcement of the National Assembly; Mayor of Szolnok Ferenc Szalay; and the members of the Budapest Military Attaché Corps (BMAC).

Photo: Veronika Dévényi