Border / security incidentBulgaria
Defence profile
Hungary
Hungary has been a NATO member since 12 March 1999 and an EU member since 1 May 2004 (Schengen since 21 December 2007). NATO estimates its defence spending rising from 0.86% of GDP in 2014 to 2.21% in 2024 and 2.09% in 2026, with military personnel of about 20,600. The 2027 budget, submitted to parliament on 19 October 2026, provides 2% of GDP for defence.
Overview
The last of 44 Leopard 2A7HU tanks was handed over on 12 December 2025, and Lynx KF41 fighting vehicles, under the September 2020 contract for 218, are also built in Zalaegerszeg. With the last two of four new Gripen Cs landing at Kecskemét in June 2026, the fleet reaches 18 Gripen C/D, and both KC-390 transport aircraft were delivered by November 2025. After the April 2026 election, the Minister of Defence in Péter Magyar’s government is Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi (since 12 May 2026); the Chief of Defence Staff is Gen. Zsolt Sándor (since 1 June 2026).
Key facts
- NATO membership
- 12 March 1999
- EU membership
- 1 May 2004 (Schengen: 21 December 2007)
- Minister of Defence
- Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi (since 12 May 2026; former Chief of Defence Staff)
- Chief of Defence Staff
- Gen. Zsolt Sándor (since 1 June 2026)
- Defence budget 2027
- 2% of GDP (submitted to parliament on 19 October 2026)
- Leopard 2A7HU tanks
- 44; the last handed over on 12 December 2025
- Lynx KF41
- September 2020 contract for 218 vehicles; the first 46 from Germany, the rest from the Zalaegerszeg plant
- Gripen C/D
- 18 (16 C and 2 D) after four new Gripen Cs delivered in 2026
Armed forces
- Active personnel
- 20,600
Defence spending
Defence spending in 2026 (estimate)
2.09%
As a share of gross domestic product, from NATO data, compared with the neighbours.
Incidents
View all (2)Incidents involving the country — editorial and historical records, each on the map only as precisely as the sources allow.
Border / security incidentBulgaria
Hungarian Gripen escorts London–Sofia flight to Budapest after bomb threat
Related publications
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