Timeline of Hungary’s role

  • Hungary has been participating with a military contingent in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan since January 2003.

Photo: Veronika Dévényi

  • Between July 2004 and September 2006, the Hungarian Defence Forces were present with a Light Infantry Company in the south-western part of Kabul.
  • Since October 1, 2006, we have been running a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Baghlan Province.
  • Within the NATO Equipment Donation Programme, in 2007 Hungary supplied 21,000 AMD assault rifles and 150,000 cartridges to the Afghan National Army to promote its development.

Photo: Veronika Dévényi

  • Between October 2008 and April 2009, we assumed the lead nation role on the military side of the Kabul International Airport (KAIA) for the first time.
  • Since April 2009, in partnership with the Ohio National Guard we have been mentoring an infantry battalion of the Afghan National Army which is based in Baghlan Province.
  • Since 2009, the soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces Special Forces Battalion have been deployed with the ISAF operations.
  • In 2010 we contributed an election support platoon to support the presidential and parliamentary elections in Afghanistan.

Photo: Veronika Dévényi

  • Since 2010 we have been participating in the training at the CSS School (HDF Logistic Mentor Team) and executing the tasks of the Mi-35 Air Mentor Team, and we have deployed the National Support Element as well.
  • Between October 1, 2010 and April 1, 2011 we assumed the lead nation role on the military side of the Kabul International Airport (KAIA) for the second time.
  • In 2011, we deployed the second mentor team of the Hungarian Air Force, the HDF Mi-17 Air Advisory Team (HDF Mi-17 AAT).

Photo: Veronika Dévényi

  • Starting from autumn 2012, the soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces have assumed Force Protection duties for six months on the military side of the Kabul International Airport (the gateway to Afghanistan), which has strategic importance for the ongoing NATO ISAF operation. With this, Hungary has taken on a role in ensuring the undisturbed operation of “the gateway to Afghanistan” for the third time.