The Development of Special Forces Capability Is an Important Element of the Strategic Plan
Szöveg: honvedelem.hu / MTI | 2013. április 28. 10:42The development of Special Forces capability is a priority in the strategic plan of the Ministry of Defence for the period until 2022, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende told Maj.-Gen. Michael Repass, Commander of United States Special Operations Command Europe (US EUCOM) in Budapest.
MTI says that at their meeting held on Monday, April 22, the two partners discussed the
Hungarian–American military relations, with special regard to the cooperation of Special
Forces units in Afghanistan and the capability development of the HDF Special Forces
Battalion.
The generation and development of the Special Forces capability in the Hungarian Defence
Forces has been going on since 2005, based on the HDF 34th “Bercsényi László" Special
Forces Battalion. Since 2009, Hungarian Special Forces units have been deployed with the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation as part of a US force.
The participation of the Hungarian Defence Forces Special Forces units underwent
transformation in November 2012, and they have been reinforced both in terms of
strength and capabilities. The contingent with an independent staff element is composed
of two Special Operations Teams (SOTs) and operates under the US-led Task Force-10
Headquarters. Its tasks are to drive back the anti-government forces and to train and support
the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Recently NATO issued an official report
to confirm that the Hungarian Special Forces capability – which is being developed with
assistance from the United States – has reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) by NATO
standards, the MoD press release stresses.
According to the press release, during the discussion Michael Repass praised the performance
and professionalism of the Hungarian soldiers serving with Special Forces units. The
two partners agreed that the development of Special Forces is equally important for both
countries. At the meeting, Minister Hende decorated the American commander with the
Service Medal “For the Alliance", the MoD press release says.
US Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, the Chief of the
Defence Staff and Péter Siklósi, Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning,
Miinistry of Defence also participated in the discussion.
Photos: Mária Krasznai-Nehrebeczky
