Hungary in Afghanistan

The ISAF mission in Afghanistan is currently NATO’s most important military operation. Hungary contributes to the execution of military and civil tasks in Afghanistan at a level proportional to its capabilities. The Hungarian Defence Forces have been present in the Asian country since January 2003 with a military force that is continuously expanding both in terms of troop numbers and capabilities. Today more than 500 soldiers are serving in a distance of 4,500 kilometers from Hungary as part of an international coalition formed by the troops of 50 nations.

The role of the Hungarian Defence Forces in Afghanistan can be grouped under the headings of three main activities:

1. Humanitarian and development activity (HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team – HUN PRT)
2. The tasks related to the training and mentoring of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) (HDF Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (HDF OMLT), HDF Special Operations Team (HDF SOT), HDF Mi-17 Air Advisory Team (HDF AAT), HDF Mi-35 Air Mentor Team (HDF AMT), HDF Logistic Mentor Team (HDF LMT).
3. The Force Protection duties involved in the lead nation role on the military side of the Kabul International Airport (KAIA-North) which are vital for the NATO-led operations.

By taking over the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT) in Baghlan Province in October 2006, Hungary was the first among the member states joining NATO after the Cold War to assume the lead nation role in Afghanistan. Deployed in Pol-e Khomri, the personnel of the Hungarian PRT are responsible for coordinating the reconstruction process in Baghlan Province and are actively participating in the reconstruction. On the one hand, this means civil projects (development of infrastructure, that is, building and renovating schools, hospitals and bridges) and on the other hand the provision of military support to the reconstruction-related tasks (patrolling, force protection, convoy escort). In the course of its history, this is the first time that Hungary performs whole-of-government development activities in another part of the world. In carrying out this mission, we gain important experience and skills.

One of the main objectives of the ISAF mission is to enable the government of Afghanistan to maintain security in the country by itself. Training, preparing, mentoring and supporting the Afghan National Army (ANA) is one of the priorities of our military activity. Since 2009, the Hungarian–US OMLT has been mentoring the personnel of an ANA infantry battalion based in Baghlan Province. The OMLT is going to end this activity soon because it has achieved its goal, as the Afghan infantry battalion is now capable of operating independently.

The Mi-35 Air Mentor Team and the Mi-17 Air Advisory Team assist the training of the attack and transport helicopter units of the ANA in Kabul and Shindand, Herat Province.

The activity of Hungarian troops in Afghanistan broadens the experience of the Hungarian Defence Forces in the field of crisis response operations (CROs), which can be used in preparing for the tasks of territorial defence. The well-trained soldiers with operational experience are more effective in the armed defence of the homeland and can share the lessons learned with their comrades who have not as yet been deployed on operations abroad.
In accordance with NATO’s strategic concept, the government of Hungary is continuously reviewing the extent of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ military engagement, and is planning a role which is proportionate to their capacity and focuses on training and advisory tasks.

Hungary will stay committed to maintaining the independence of Afghanistan after 2014 too, so it plans to contribute USD 500,000 per year to the operational costs of the Afghan National Army (ANA) between 2015 and 2017.