Türkiye, Hungary forge stronger defence ties with new strategic partnership

Türkiye and Hungary have formalized a new working group aimed at deepening collaboration in the defence industry, focusing on advanced technologies such as unmanned systems, simulation, and innovation.

"We have taken the first steps to establish new partnerships in strategic areas such as unmanned air and land systems, simulation and training technologies, and test and innovation centres," said Türkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır.

He made the statement during the first ministerial meeting of the Türkiye-Hungary Defence Innovation Working Group, held in Ankara, Caliber.Az reports referring to Turkish media.

Kacır emphasized that this initiative marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two countries, saying, "The seeds of new cooperation that will serve the common interests of the two countries have been sown."

Highlighting the success of their growing trade relations, Kacır revealed that the bilateral trade volume with Hungary has soared by eight times over the past 22 years, now reaching $4.4 billion. "The surge in bilateral trade volume with Hungary is an important result of the common understanding between our countries," he added.

He also underscored that the elevated ties between Türkiye and Hungary, now recognized as an "enhanced strategic partnership," have opened doors for even further collaboration. "At the 6th Meeting of the Türkiye-Hungary High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, we decided to celebrate 2025 as the 'Türkiye-Hungary Year of Science and Innovation,'" Kacır said.

This special year will be officially inaugurated during Kacır's upcoming visit to Hungary, as he announced: "The Türkiye-Hungary Year of Science and Innovation will be opened in the coming days during my visit to Hungary."

A key outcome of the council meeting was the R&D and Innovation Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Defense Technologies, which Kacır referred to as one of the strategic achievements for both nations.

Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky also spoke about the growing importance of bilateral defence cooperation. "The two countries have established important cooperation in many areas, including the defence industry," he said.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky acknowledged Türkiye's significant role in NATO, noting, "The Turkish army is the second-largest power in NATO," and expressed Hungary's pride in forming an alliance with Türkiye both directly and through the NATO framework.

He further emphasized the mutual benefits of the agreement, stating, "Hungary has gained from this agreement and the strategic cooperation that extends to the defence industry as Türkiye's innovation and defence industry are among the leading powers in the world."

By Tamilla Hasanova