Orban to Buy HIMARS Missiles from Trump 0 77

The Hungarian government plans to purchase the HIMARS rocket artillery system and other types of modern weapons from the United States. This was announced by Hungary's Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, who accompanied Prime Minister Viktor Orban during his visit to Washington.

Speaking with Hungarian journalists aboard the plane on the return trip to Budapest, he noted that HIMARS is included in the list of purchases compiled according to the country's military development plan for the next 10 years. According to him, this system can expand Hungary's strategic capabilities. "This will be very valuable. Indeed, HIMARS is a technology that can be considered the most likely solution," the head of the Ministry of Defense was quoted by the MTI agency.

Journalists reminded him that earlier reports had indicated Hungary's intention to acquire between 20 and 24 HIMARS rocket launchers from the United States. Szalay-Bobrovniczky confirmed that the volume of the proposed deal roughly corresponds to this.

He mentioned that he held negotiations at the Pentagon regarding the procurement of American weapons, but they will not arrive in Hungary anytime soon, as various approvals are needed, including from the U.S. Congress. Additionally, HIMARS is a sought-after system, for which "there is a queue," the minister explained. In his estimation, the process of acquiring it may take three years.