“Hungary’s history is based on its heroes,” the defence minister told an official ceremony marking the country’s Defence Day, on Thursday.
In his address, the minister said Hungarians had always strived for “sovereignty, independence, and freedom”.
Benkő also spoke about Hungary’s military reform, aimed at providing soldiers with training and equipment meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
As he mentioned before, the training of soldiers is a crucial part of Hungary’s multi-year defence and military development programme. Hungary needs a strong and competent military capable of carrying out its duties both at a national level and as part of an alliance.
Defence Day has been celebrated since 1992, to pay tribute to soldiers that recaptured Buda Castle from occupying Austrian troops in Hungary’s 1848-49 freedom fight.