Hungary is on the brink of acquiring High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the United States, according to Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. His comments followed a meeting between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and President Donald Trump at the White House, during which the Trump administration reportedly authorized Budapest to move forward with the procurement of these advanced artillery systems.
The defense minister revealed that while the US Congress had cleared the way for Hungary’s HIMARS acquisition, a specific timeline for delivery remains unclear due to a backlog in orders for the system. Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized that negotiations may extend over a period of three to five years, dependent on the availability of the systems.
This announcement follows a previous setback in June 2023, when US Senator Jim Risch blocked a $735 million foreign military sale of HIMARS to Hungary. This action was attributed to Hungary’s resistance regarding Sweden’s NATO membership bid. The minister also mentioned that restrictions imposed under the administration of former President Joe Biden had hindered Hungary’s defense acquisitions for political reasons, impacting contracts even for which payments had already been processed. He indicated that such obstacles have since been lifted, as reported by Honvedelem, a news outlet affiliated with Hungary’s Ministry of Defence.
In terms of specifics regarding the HIMARS package, earlier reports suggested it may include up to 24 artillery units alongside approximately 100 missiles. Although Szalay-Bobrovniczky clarified that these figures are approximate and may fluctuate, he acknowledged their alignment with Hungary’s defense requirements.
When questioned about the financial aspects, particularly whether the total expense would surpass 1.2 billion Hungarian forints (around $3.6 billion), the defense minister explained that various elements—such as equipment costs, infrastructural investments, training, and delivery schedules—must be factored in before arriving at a final price. “This is a very complex system and will be a very complex procurement,” he remarked, drawing attention to the variables of exchange rates, timelines, and necessary infrastructure.
Moreover, the United States has indicated that Hungary will also have the opportunity to procure additional defense technologies and equipment, which will be pivotal for Budapest’s ten-year force development plan. This strategy outlines intended acquisitions across various military sectors, further strengthening Hungary’s defense capabilities.
As a member of NATO’s eastern flank, Hungary’s move to bolster its artillery capabilities aligns it with other nations like Estonia, Poland, and Romania, which have also opted for Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS systems. If finalized, this procurement is set to enhance Hungary’s long-range artillery capabilities significantly, while also underscoring the country’s delicate balancing act of maintaining alliance commitments while managing its relationships with Russia.
