Afghanistan – Another Unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces to End its Activity in October

General Benkő explained that the nature of military engagement in Afghanistan would significantly change from 2014 on. From that point on, Hungarian troops will help the Afghans mainly through training, education and mentoring.

The Hungarian Defence Forces Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) returned to Hungary in late March. In May, another Hungarian unit serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the attack helicopter mentor team also ended its activity. After the withdrawal of the PRT and the Mi–35 Air Mentor Team (AMT), the 420 Hungarian troops currently deployed in Afghanistan are organized into six contingents or serve in individual positions.

The largest of these is the 200-strong Hungarian Defence Forces Kabul International Airport Force Protection Contingent (HDF KAIA FPC). Besides, the Hungarian–US Military Advisory Team (MAT), the HDF Mi–17 Air Advisory Team (AAT), the HDF Special Operations Contingent, the HDF ISAF CSS School Logistic Mentor Team and the HDF National Support Element–Afghanistan are to continue their mission in Afghanistan.

When the PRT returned home, Defence Minister Csaba Hende stressed that ISAF would have ended its mission in the Central Asian country and withdrawn all combat troops by the end of 2014. ISAF is transitioning the main responsibility for security to the Afghan government forces gradually, province by province. That said, as it was already agreed at last year’s NATO Summit, Afghanistan will not be left on its own after the withdrawal of ISAF in 2014 either. A new international mission will start with a focus on training, advising and support, the Minister said in conclusion.

Photo: archive