Corruption risks are moderate in Hungary’s defence sector – this is the result of a survey conducted by the London office of Transparency International, which was published after the analysis of the armed forces in 82 countries. Only nine countries are placed higher than Hungary in the Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index, and our country is in the moderate band together with other 16 nations.

The survey is based on the detailed analysis of 77 different criteria which cover the policy, finance, personnel and operation of the defence sector as well as defence procurements. Together with the Czech Republic, France, Japan, Poland and Latvia among others, Hungary was placed in Band C (“moderate risk”).

The analysis points out that Hungary’s placing is due to the relatively extensive control. For example, the Parliament’s Defence and Internal Security Committee “has formal powers of scrutiny of defence policy”, and professional public consultations are characteristic of the sector as well. The budget of the Hungarian Defence Forces is part of the country’s budget, which means that Hungary’s defence spending is transparent. The analysis also highlights the fact that the new defence policy has been subject to public consultation, and debate on the sector has involved academics and think-tanks.

The London office of Transparency International analyzed a total of 82 countries. Based on the corruption risk level, the defence corruption index places countries in seven bands ranging from A (very low risk) to F (critical risk). This result was calculated on the basis of the chances of the actual occurrence of corruption and the frequency of the citizens’ facing it.

Further details at http://government.defenceindex.org/results/countries/hungary

(Ministry of Defence)