The Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard are considering broadening their partnership of more than three decades to cover additional areas such as air defense, cyber operations, and drone warfare. General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Hungary’s Chief of the Defense Staff, spoke about these plans after taking part in the Ohio National Guard’s annual commanders’ conference and meeting with Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff, the Guard’s commander, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation.
At the start of his U.S. visit, General Böröndi held talks at the Pentagon with General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, who in this role is a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Praising the Ohio National Guard, General Nordhaus noted that its air force component is the second strongest among the Guard units and that it also has a significant land component. The American general expressed high appreciation for the Ohio National Guard’s partnership network with its three partner countries. He emphasized that the oldest, longest, and deepest relationship has been established with Hungary and the Hungarian Defense Forces, and assured full support for continued cooperation.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
From Washington, the Chief of the Defense Staff traveled to Columbus, where Ohio National Guard leaders discussed the current global security situation, reviewed and assessed the past year’s achievements, outlined future goals and tasks, and exchanged experiences.
The agenda included strategic leadership and capability development, initiatives aimed at maintaining and strengthening readiness and training levels, and deepening professional international partnerships.
In addition to Hungary, the Guard’s two other partners, Serbia and Angola, were also represented at the event. The cooperation between the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard now spans over 30 years.
“Traditionally, rifle-based reserve training has functioned well, implemented jointly with another partner country, Serbia, through the Neighbors and Platinum Wolf exercise series,” said General Dr. Gábor Böröndi after the meeting. He emphasized: “However, the world and the security environment are changing, and with them military challenges as well.
In light of this, we have already begun organizing cooperation with the Ohio National Guard’s air defense brigade.”
The Ohio National Guard brigade, like the missile regiment in Győr, northwestern Hungary, is equipped with the NASAMS air defense system. During the current visit, the Hungarian and American sides agreed to continue joint preparation and training, further deepening their professional relationship. Additionally, new areas of cooperation and opportunity were identified, including joint preparation, training, and exchange of experience in cyber operations, as well as drone warfare and counter-drone measures.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
The Chief of the Defense Staff highlighted: “For the Hungarian Defense Forces, the Ohio National Guard is a key partner, as over the past 30 years a professional and trust-based relationship founded on personal connections has developed between the two armed organizations. As a result, the Hungarian Defense Forces have made significant progress in preparation, training, and combat readiness.”
As the final stop of his trip, the Chief of the Defense Staff visited the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence in Springfield, near Columbus, which specializes in the testing and development of air mobility and unmanned aerial systems. The institution was established with the involvement of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA, as well as universities, research institutes, and private companies. The center provides an environment that supports the research, design, and testing of new aircraft at the highest level in line with modern requirements.
Via honvedelem.hu, Featured image: honvedelem.hu
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