Communications Aspects of the Hungarian NATO Integration and the Defence Reform by Mr. Péter SIKLÓSI, Head of Defence Policy Department, MoD, HUNGARY 25 February, 2005

Outline I.) Political and military aspects of NATO membership and their communication II.) Major aspects of the defence review and their communication

The Hungarian road to NATO membership – Change of regime 1991– Hungary quits the Warsaw Pact 1994 – PfP membership 1997 – Madrid invitation 1999 – NATO membership

NATO in a changing world A major conventional attack against NATO (Art. V) is unlikely The role of the asymmetric threats is increasing The importance of territorial defence is decreasing, the importance of out of area OPS is increasing

Political effects of NATO membership Enhanced security (HU + regional + global) NATO enlargement did not create new division lines in Europe Supported EU membership aspirations

Military implications of NATO membership Security guarantees (Article V) Peace Support Operations (Out of Area OPS) Team-efforts: consensus based Strategy-building, Defence Planning - Force Planning Interoperability Requirements HU Integration to RC SOUTH

Communications aspects of NATO membership The communication efforts were lead by the MFA The Alliance has no alternative (no possibility of neutrality, security requirements, costs etc.) A successful referendum was a requirement (Hungarian internal decision) - 85% Yes The decreasing role of territorial defence is still unclear (even for some politicians)

Defence Reform Milestones: Identifying military tasks during defence review Determining the necessary capabilities Determining financial requirements Creating the National Military Strategy Integrating the MoD and DS

 Changing security environment - NATO enlargement - 11 September  Defence and security interests abroad  Shortfalls, surplus and obsolete capabilities in the defence sector  The current force structure is financially unaffordable Defence Review „To qualitatively contribute to the Euro-Atlantic peace and security”  To balance the new security challenges and available resources  To deliver a properly costed 10 year plan  To develop realistic, affordable military capabilities  To transform to voluntary based, fully professional armed forces Reasons Mission Objectives

Force development considerations Collective security requirements Retain military capabilities justified by the level of ambition Operations in Alliance / Coalition – expeditionary forces Modular, multifunctional, flexible forces Increase number of deployable combat elements Enhance combat support and combat service support capabilities Focus on Alliance shortfalls (bridging, MP, water purification) Focus on „Niche” capabilities (medical, CIMIC, NBC, SOF) Replace old, obsolete WP equipment with NATO compatible ones Transition to voluntary based, fully professional armed forces I

The long term approach of the HDF transformation PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III st period nd period rd period th period th period Legal Sector Human Sector Budget and Financial sector Military Sector Technical Modernization, Acquisition Cost-balanced 10-year Plan ( )

Achievements Structural changes – downsizing the force The number of personnel has been reduced Quality of training has been improved – NCOs, contracted soldiers Acquisitions: –GRIPEN program, CIS assets, NBC protection assets, water purification equipment –Vehicle program Withdrawal of surplus military hardware Infrastructure investments –Garrison reconstructions –Housing improvements

New characteristics of HDF Personnel Units Integrated MoD and background Σ All volunteer, professional forces – new life in the barracks New ratio of personnel (officer/NCO, rank) New career model – evaluation, competition, retain qualified personnel New training concept, improved basic and advanced training Special skilled personnel from the labour market Contract soldiers – basis for NCO corps Outsourcing Improve living and working conditions, new garrison model – reconstruction program

Communications aspects of the defence review Effects of permanent restructuring and massive downsizing since 1985 The necessity of restructuring and downsizing was accepted by the civilian society easier, then by the military Foreseeable changes, retraining and the possibility of early retirement of affected personnel can reduce stress

Thank you for your attention!