National Defence '97 [antikvár]

Ministers Foreword Defence Forces. Consequently, in accordance with these decisions, the HDF's structure and hase locations were reorganised from the highest command organ down to unit level. The implementation of this restructuring entaUed a large-scale decrease in the number of personnel, a decrease which affected all areas of the HDF, most especially the civil service cadre, but alsó the numbers of conscripts and career soldiers also. Now, we can say that we have created the foundations for a smaller and more modern armed force, a change which has required much sacrifice. Of all the already executed and yet to be executed tasks, special mention must be made of the etsabUshment of a new system for high-levei militaiy command procedures and the move to a shorter ninth month conscription period. The new HDF General Staff, now being created, already compiles with the new militaiy structure, is able to cooperate with NATO 's structures, guarantees the further functioning of the new military structures and directs the tasks set before them. The move to a nine month conscription period is happening as a part of a multiphase reduction process, which will concurrently increase the proportion of those sei-ving as contracted soldiers and at the same time decrease the number of conscripts serxnng in positions requiring a longer period of training and greater experience. The contracted and career personnel of the HDF have been very active in various peacekeeping and obser\>er missions. Amongst these, the most impotant to date is our contribution to the IFOR and SFOR missions, a contribution as both host nation and participatory force. The activities of the Hungárián Combat Engineering Contingent have not only added to the domestic and International recognition of our army's speciálist militaiy capabilities, but have also represented real-life practice in cooperation with various NATO commands and participating forces from other countries, practice which cannot be realistically imitated out of theatre. IFOR/SFOR represents a practical "hands-on" version of the Partnership for Peace programme. Within the process of ereating an armed force which satisfies integrational requirements, the HDF will have to progressively develop further in both psychological and technical NATO compatibility. In the framework of preparations for NATO integration, large-scale tasks will be put before the Hungárián Defence Forces. For example the realisation of offers made by Hungary concerning NATO tasks, the broadening of cooperatioon and participation in the work of various committees also. It will remain important to prepare and execute exercises thoughtfully, to master regulations and procedures at the highest levels of command and to create the required technical conditions amongst the units designated for cooperat ive tasks. Last, but not least, we must not neglect the intensive speciálist skill and language training ofthe career soldiers sen'ing in NATO designated units. This publication attempts to provide an overview of the above mentioned processes, suported by relevant data. György Keleti Minister for Defence The nation's defence policy in past years has been largely defined around efforts aimed at joining NATO and the rapid creation of conditions to that end. As a result, key decisions have been taken both by Parliament and the government concerning the modernisation of the defence sector and the Hungárián Defence Forces. DEAR READER, By the time that you receive this publication which introduces the defence sector and the Hungárián Defence Forces (HDF), in all probability we will already have heard the decision of NATO's Madrid summit ofJuly 8th and 9th concerning the invitation to begin negotiations with that country, or those countries, identified as prospective new members. We would like to be able to count our homeland amongst the lucky countries. The historic decision of Madrid represents for us a milestone along the path of Euroatlantic integration we started out upon several years ago, a path which will eventually allow us to become afull member ofthe community of European states. The nation's defence policy in past years has been largely defined around efforts aimed at joining NATO and the rapid creation of conditions to that end. Parliament and the governmnet have taken relevant decisions aimed at the modernisation ofthe defence sector and the Hugarian