According to the President of the Hungarian Republic, Pál Schmitt our country has well-trained, determined, dedicated and faithful soldiers. At the military exercise conducted at Szolnok helicopter base of the HDF the Head of State said that the military signifies not only technical and professional knowledge, but also loyalty, affection and honesty.

On October 12, the President of Hungary and the Commander-in-Chief of the HDF (Hungarian Defence Forces) Pál Schmitt accompanied by the Minister of Defence and Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Staff of the HDF watched the military exercise called ‘New Impetus for 2010’ at the ’József Ittebei Kiss’ Helicopter Base in Szolnok. There were ten military organizations, 349 soldiers and 75 technical means present at the military exercise.
President Pál Schmitt and his accompany were shown the military technical means and the weapons of the Szolnok units, and the special military camouflage uniforms of the HDF 34th ’László Bercsényi’ Special Operations Battalion. The Head of State spent a long time with the soldiers observing the pilotless reconnaissance aircraft and the counter-artillery robot used in Afghanistan missions.
In the dynamic part of the programme the soldiers demonstrated phases of an attack against our country border. The units of 50-60 enemy troops and their vehicles were detected by military reconnaissance helicopters. Then soldiers armed with armour-piercing weapons closed the affected section of the border securing it until the defence forces arrived by BTR-80 APC’s. During the imitated fire fight the President of Hungary got to know the laser weapon system simulation.
At the military exercise Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said: “The HDF will be modernized, the number of the military force will be increased. From next year on the barracks will be guarded by soldiers again. The programme including close combats, static and dynamic displays aimed to demonstrate that the Hungarian soldiers were able to guarantee the military security of the country.’’
NEW IMPETUS FOR 2010At the end of the military exercise the President said: “The outsiders are fascinated by the programme. However, as a Commander-in Chief I am not considered an outsider any more.“
At the end of his speech the President pledged to support the HDF. As a CINC of the HDF he promised to serve as a link between the leaders and the citizens of the country.
Following the military exercise a Hadik Sword was presented to the President of the Hungarian Republic Pál Schmitt by Minister of Defence Csaba Hende. The Minister of Defence said: “The present is a true copy of the sword displayed at the HDF Institute and Museum of Military History.”

Translated by Dóra Darnyik