Hearts and Minds

The CIMIC and PSYOPS capabilities have been present in the Hungarian Defence Forces since 2003. The core mission of CIMIC is to support the Hungarian units and the international operations in mission areas like Afghanistan where winning the sympathy of the local population is a fundamental objective of ISAF. For example, it is of the highest importance to make the population understand and accept that the members of the Hungarian Provincial Reconstruction Team are there to promote their welfare, so they monitor and assess their needs and contribute to school-building projects because they want to give them assistance.

Similarly, PSYOPS also focuses on winning the people’s goodwill, and it does this with the use of the media. The PSYOPS vehicle introduced at the professional display is special because it can reach places that are distant from the towns and difficult to access. One can prepare a small road-show, television broadcast or loudspeaker messages with the help of this well-equipped vehicle, which provides many opportunities for spreading news and warnings, for example.

The CIMIC and PSYOPS specialists play a similar role in Kosovo where they liaise with the population and the leaders of local organizations (local government, police, fire service etc.). The Centre has been operating in both the ISAF and KFOR areas of operations since 2006.

At the event, it was said that the two capabilities have the mission of winning the “Hearts and Minds", that is, to convince people that all these efforts are made in their own interest.

After the presentations, the military attachés received a practical introduction to the relevant military equipment and assets, of which several items have been developed and made in Hungary.

Photo: Gábor Galovtsik