EUROPEAN MODELS of MILITARY SERVICES HUNGARY Presented by: Dr. Gábor Szarka Head of Cabinet, MoD Hungary

EUROPEAN MODELS of EUROPEAN MODELS of MILITARY SERVICESMILITARY SERVICES

HUNGARYHUNGARY

Presented by: Dr. Presented by: Dr. Gábor SzarkaGábor Szarka

Head of Cabinet, MoD HungaryHead of Cabinet, MoD Hungary..

Topics to presentTopics to present

Short description of the current system of military Short description of the current system of military serviceservice,,

Assessment of the specific system of military service of Assessment of the specific system of military service of the respective countrythe respective country,,

Description of fundamental political and strategic Description of fundamental political and strategic considerationsconsiderations,,

Assessment of social and economic side-effectsAssessment of social and economic side-effects,,

CConsequences of a change in the system of military onsequences of a change in the system of military service on the respective defence budgetservice on the respective defence budget,,

Main Lessons Learned with regard to the implementation process.






ConsequencesConsequences of a change in the system of military of a change in the system of military service on the respective defence budgetservice on the respective defence budget,,


The Past 20 YearsThe Past 20 Years

19901990

Conscripted Army;Conscripted Army;

Warsaw Pact;Warsaw Pact;

Up to 150,000 persons;Up to 150,000 persons;

Conventional threats;Conventional threats;

National commitmentsNational commitments..

20102010

All-Voluntary Force;All-Voluntary Force;

NATO;NATO;

Around 25,000 persons;Around 25,000 persons;

Asymmetric threats;Asymmetric threats;

International commitmentsInternational commitments..

PfP PfP

Accession Accession Process Process

Defence Defence Review 2002-Review 2002-

0303

2500030000

4000045000

35000

50000

6000065000

55000

700007500080000850009000095000

100000105000110000115000120000125000

500010000

2000015000

0

1998 1999

19941996

1997

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

19921990

2005

52.000 37.000 31.000

125.000

H U N G A R I A N D E F E N C E F O R C E SH U N G A R I A N D E F E N C E F O R C E S2006 2008

29.000 ~26.000

Defence Defence

Overview 2006Overview 2006

Professional Professional ArmyArmy Nov Nov 20020044

Strategic Strategic ReviewReview19991999

2009 2010

~25.000

Cornerstones of the ProcessCornerstones of the Process

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10

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41

84

69

81

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86

11

10

73

91

60

94

72

80

80

19

10

91

81

08

89

72

89

72

10

10

57

91

04

44

69

89

71

39

10

26

89

72

26

64

7

5133

78

81

71

96

65

02

52

75

73

53

62

20

71

81

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5000

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20000

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40000

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2002

.12.

2003

.09.

2004

.09.

2005

.05.

2006

.11.

2008

.08.

2010

. máj.

.

Civilian

Enlisted

NCO

Officer

Internal CompositionInternal Composition of HDF of HDF






CConsequences of a change in the system of military onsequences of a change in the system of military service on the respective defence budgetservice on the respective defence budget,,


The starting point for transformation was a military force The starting point for transformation was a military force with a heritage of a different military culture,with a heritage of a different military culture,

The economic transition of Hungary into a market The economic transition of Hungary into a market economy has limited the financial means for HDF,economy has limited the financial means for HDF,

Nevertheless adequacy to foreign and internal policy has Nevertheless adequacy to foreign and internal policy has always been at the core of transformation,always been at the core of transformation,

NATO requirements, social expectations, and many NATO requirements, social expectations, and many other factors have influenced this processother factors have influenced this process,,

New challenges in the region and the world. New challenges in the region and the world.

ConsiderationsConsiderations

High Commander of the HDF is the President of the High Commander of the HDF is the President of the Republic of Hungary,Republic of Hungary,

The HDF is under civil control: since 1990 all ministers The HDF is under civil control: since 1990 all ministers have been civilians,have been civilians,

The HDF is a force composed of professional and The HDF is a force composed of professional and contracted personnel,contracted personnel,

Defence budget is at 1,17% of the GDP (1,46 Defence budget is at 1,17% of the GDP (1,46 bb. USD) . USD) from which 42% goes for personal, 10% for missionsfrom which 42% goes for personal, 10% for missions,,

One of the main characteristics is to participate in One of the main characteristics is to participate in international missions.international missions.

Some Basic CharacteristicsSome Basic Characteristics

In recent years we can witness a radical expansion of In recent years we can witness a radical expansion of professionalism even under contracted soldiers,professionalism even under contracted soldiers,

Time spent in a foreign mission per soldier has Time spent in a foreign mission per soldier has increased, which includes experience even in combat,increased, which includes experience even in combat,

Planable career opportunities (at least in theory) with Planable career opportunities (at least in theory) with dual-use knowledge in many areas,dual-use knowledge in many areas,

Growing importance of foreign languages, and adequate Growing importance of foreign languages, and adequate physical fitness is important for promotion.physical fitness is important for promotion.

New Service New Service Culture Culture








Adapting to the DemandAdapting to the Demand

A military force based on voluntary service with someA military force based on voluntary service with some expeditionary capabilities emerged around 2000,expeditionary capabilities emerged around 2000,

The aim was to design a force that is lighter in The aim was to design a force that is lighter in equipment and more mobile and deployable,equipment and more mobile and deployable,

This resulted in significant changes in the system of This resulted in significant changes in the system of tasks, the structure and the operational characteristics,tasks, the structure and the operational characteristics,

As a consequence, the system of recruiting, training and As a consequence, the system of recruiting, training and assigning personnel were also transformed.assigning personnel were also transformed.

Fulfilling CommitmentsFulfilling Commitments

Operational characteristics and structural principles fundamentally changed and required reorganisations,

The HDF is on the road to become a well-trained and equipped force having expeditionary capabilities,

It is important to find a balance between capabilities required for national and international commitments,

For both high level of training, appropriate equipment and committed personnel is needed.

Still a Lot to DoStill a Lot to Do

All in all order of battle, organizational structure and strength of HDF should be in harmony,

Internal proportion of personnel, armament and equipment should meet operational requirements,

International security environment and the necessities of national defence should complement each other,

Shaping the HDF has to take into account the material and financial resources available.








On Social Side-effectsOn Social Side-effects

The conversion of the HDF fundamentally changed the characteristics and the architectural principles,

The mechanisms of the voluntary-based system is still burdened with tensions,

Social integration in terms of labor market competitiveness are still not consolidated,

Organisations of the HDF struggle with lesser or greater shortfalls of personnel.

Establishing a ReserveEstablishing a Reserve

The conversion process of the HDF to a fully-fledged professional force is a complex process,

The introduction of new types of capabilities and the integration into the labour market go simultaneously,

Important and neglected aspect of the conversion process was the establishment of a reserve force,

With the new government in place this process has been accelerated and is in full swing.

On Economic Side-effectsOn Economic Side-effects

Having even a relatively small full professional force is not a cheap thing,

Unfortunately the defence budget has not grown significantly in recent years,

There is political will to increase step-by-step the defence budget in the legislature period,

We have to create a better balance between the development and other expenditure,

It is equally important to find a mechanism that helps allocate available resources more efficiently.


Short description of the current system of military Short description of the current system of military service,service,

Assessment of the specific system of military service of Assessment of the specific system of military service of the respective country,the respective country,

Description of fundamental political and strategic Description of fundamental political and strategic considerations,considerations,

Assessment of social and economic side-effects,Assessment of social and economic side-effects,

Consequences of a change in the system of military Consequences of a change in the system of military service on the respective defence budget,service on the respective defence budget,


Budget CharacteristicsBudget Characteristics

According to a cynical saying a budget is a backyard of any liberal democracy,

NATO proposes 2% of the GDP defence budget for the member countries,

Similar to other member nations the share of personnel expenses is too high in the Hungarian defence budget,

This distortion makes it very difficult to make a balance between personnel and technical costs

Burdens on the BudgetBurdens on the Budget

The HDF has become better educated, but higher education level generally stands for higher salaries,

Not only force development, but also force reduction can be a costly business,

Modernisation of weapons and equipments stands for additional expenses,

Keeping international missions running is very costly, Keeping international missions running is very costly, which might increase further in future. which might increase further in future.

Ways to Find MoneyWays to Find Money

Key for the future is to shape a force that can be Key for the future is to shape a force that can be financed in a more efficient way,financed in a more efficient way,

This requires rethinking in terms of officer/enlisted ratio This requires rethinking in terms of officer/enlisted ratio and the internal composition of rank groups,and the internal composition of rank groups,

Constant monitoring of existing mechanisms of money Constant monitoring of existing mechanisms of money spending and initiating improvements ASAP,spending and initiating improvements ASAP,

When economic growth sets in the defence budget can When economic growth sets in the defence budget can be beefed up.be beefed up.






CCconsequences of a change in the system of military consequences of a change in the system of military service on the respective defence budgetservice on the respective defence budget,,


Hungary has just one military force, but there are many Hungary has just one military force, but there are many commitments, commitments, In order to maintain credibility a modular, multifunctional, In order to maintain credibility a modular, multifunctional, and flexible HDF is needed,and flexible HDF is needed,Key words are co-operation, interoperability, Key words are co-operation, interoperability, sustainability, and deployability,sustainability, and deployability,Both internal co-operation and home defence require Both internal co-operation and home defence require new capabilities (medical, CIMIC, NBC, SOF)new capabilities (medical, CIMIC, NBC, SOF),,Running the HDF is a very costly business that demands Running the HDF is a very costly business that demands much money and time (in some cases patience, as well)much money and time (in some cases patience, as well),,Lost the professionals by let them go, the military loose a Lost the professionals by let them go, the military loose a lot of experience.lot of experience.

Some LessonsSome Lessons

Smartness means that even a smaller force can cope Smartness means that even a smaller force can cope with increased challenges,with increased challenges,Instead of developing a multipurpose, all-weather, all Instead of developing a multipurpose, all-weather, all theatre force the HDF should further specialize,theatre force the HDF should further specialize,Specialization should go hand in glove with lessening the Specialization should go hand in glove with lessening the current shortfall in personnel,current shortfall in personnel,Without the establishment of a functioning reserve the Without the establishment of a functioning reserve the HDF can run dry in fulfilling commitments,HDF can run dry in fulfilling commitments,Hungary can not afford to maintain a military with full Hungary can not afford to maintain a military with full range of capabilities,range of capabilities,The system of the future could be one of The system of the future could be one of the the mutual mutual completed capabilities among the small nations,completed capabilities among the small nations,

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

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EUROPEAN MODELS of MILITARY SERVICES HUNGARY Presented by: Dr. Gábor Szarka Head of Cabinet, MoD Hungary