The Defence Department

The Defence Department at the Embassy is directly subordinated to the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters. The main task is to promote and administer Swedish – Hungarian military cooperation in various areas. Examples of such cooperation are exchange of experience in Armed Forces restructuring; e.g. Personnel, Training and Equipment issues, cooperation in Environment decontamination, Research & Technology and also participation in Peace Support Operations.

Hungary is a member of NATO and Sweden is a member of it’s associated organisation ”Partnership for Peace” (PfP). Cooperation within the PfP framework promotes improvement of interoperability. There are several opportunities for Joint Training and Joint Exercises between Swedish and Hungarian military units as well as units from other PfP member countries. Such exercises serve as excellent opportunities to prepare for Joint Peace Support Operations in the future.

Hungary’s accession to the European Union on the 1st of May 2004 implies that Sweden and Hungary becomes partners in the work of creating and maintaining EU’s Crisis Management Capabilities. The Swedish – Hungarian military cooperation might therefore increase in the future.

The Defence Department at the Embassy contributes in planning and carrying out military high-ranking visits from Sweden to Hungary. The Defence Department also deals with military diplomatic permits and clearances. Examples of such affairs are requests for visits by Swedish military personnel to Hungary, transport of Swedish military units and equipment to or through Hungary as well as overflight- and landing permissions for Swedish State-owned aircraft.

The incomparably largest part of the present workload at the Defence Department is connected to Hungary’s decision to equip its Air Force with 14 JAS39 Gripen multi-role/swing-role fighters.  The aircrafts were delivered in 2006 and 2007.