Hungarian Ground Forces
The Hungarian Ground Forces () is the land branch of the Hungarian Defence Forces, responsible for ground activities and troops, including artillery, tanks, APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers), IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles), and ground support. The ground forces have a history of serving in Iraq and are currently involved in the KFOR (Kosovo Force) operation.

The predecessors of the Hungarian ground forces include the Royal Hungarian Landwehr, the Royal Hungarian Army, and the ground force components of the Hungarian People's Army. During the Cold War, Hungary was supported by the Soviet Union and was a member of the Warsaw Pact. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Hungary significantly reduced the number of tanks and troops and closed several garrisons. The Hungarian Army now focuses on national security, peacekeeping, and international conflicts. Notably, Hungary became a member of NATO in 1999.

History 

In 1963, the Ground Forces of Hungary included the 5th Army, established in 1961 at Székesfehérvár. This formation comprised the 7th Motor Rifle Division in Kiskunfélegyháza, the 8th Motor Rifle Division in Zalaegerszeg, the 9th Motor Rifle Division in Kaposvár, and the 11th Tank Division in Tata. The 34th Special Reconnaissance Battalion in Székesfehérvár was also a sub-unit of the 5th Army. Another significant combat formation was the 3rd Army Corps in Cegléd, which consisted of the 4th Motor Rifle Division in Gyöngyös and the 15th Motor Rifle Division in Nyíregyháza).

According to Michael Holm, the 3rd Army Corps at Cegléd, Military Unit Number 6639, was established on 1 November 1966. It remained identically organized in 1970 and 1980, but by 1988, it was restructured to include four mechanized infantry brigades, one tank brigade, one artillery brigade, and three artillery regiments (AA Missile, Anti-Aircraft Artillery, and Anti-Tank Artillery), along with other smaller units.

With the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact in 1991, both the 5th Army and the 3rd Mechanized Corps were disbanded. The Hungarian Defense Forces inherited the assets and personnel of the Hungarian People's Army. However, due to the changed geopolitical situation and economic constraints, the Army underwent significant force reduction and asset adjustments.

After Hungary's accession to NATO, the procurement of newer and more modern multi-purpose equipment began. This included various vehicles, communication equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, and modernization of existing assets such as radar locators and anti-aircraft missile complexes. However, the lack of resources in the armed forces limited significant improvements until the mid-2010s.

In 2021, the Hungarian Ground Forces completed their mission in Afghanistan and announced the conclusion of evacuations on August 26, 2021. Airlift operations successfully evacuated 540 people, including Hungarian citizens, Afghans, and their families who had previously worked for Hungarian forces. Prior to the withdrawal, the number of Hungarian troops present in Afghanistan had already been reduced to ten.

Structure 

As of 2020, the main combat formations of the HDF Land Command are as follows:
 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal and River Flotilla Regiment "Honvéd" at Újpest military port in Budapest, consisting of:
 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company
 Special Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company
 River Flotilla
 Explosive Ordnance Disposal K-9 Company
 Logistics Company
 Logistics Battalion
 Training Company
2nd Special Forces Brigade "vitéz Árpád Bertalan" at Szolnok Air Base, including:
 Command Company in Szolnok
 34th Special Forces Battalion László Bercsényi in Szolnok Air Base
 88th Mixed Light Battalion in Szolnok Air Base
 5th Infantry Brigade "István Bocskai" in Debrecen, consisting of:
 Command Company in Debrecen
 3rd Infantry Battalion "Miklós Bercsényi" in Hódmezővásárhely, equipped with BTR-80 APCs
 39th Infantry Battalion in Debrecen, equipped with BTR-80 APCs
 62nd Infantry Battalion in Hódmezővásárhely, equipped with BTR-80 APCs
 Operations Support Engineer Battalion in Debrecen
 Logistics Battalion in Debrecen
 Combat Engineer Company in Debrecen
 Signal Company in Debrecen
24th Reconnaissance Regiment "Gergely Bornemissza" in Debrecen, comprising:
 Command and Signal Company in Debrecen
 Reconnaissance Company in Debrecen
 Long-Range Reconnaissance Company in Debrecen
 Tactical Intelligence (HUMINT) Company in Debrecen
 Electronic Warfare Company in Debrecen
 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Company in Debrecen
 Logistics Company
 25th Infantry Brigade "György Klapka" in Tata, including:
 Command Company in Tata
 1st Infantry Battalion in Tata, equipped with BTR-80 APCs
 2nd Infantry Battalion in Tata, equipped with BTR-80 APCs
 11th Tank Battalion in Tata, with 44x Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks
 36th Anti-tank Missile Battalion in Tata, with 9K115-2 Metis-M anti-tank missiles
 57th Garrison Support Battalion in Tata
 101st Artillery Battalion in Tata, with 24x Panzerhaubitze 2000 155 mm self-propelled howitzers
 Logistics Battalion in Tata
 37th Engineer Regiment "Ferenc Rákóczi II" in Szentes, consisting of:
 Command Support Platoon in Szentes
 Bridge Building Battalion in Szentes
 Low Water Bridge Building Company in Szentes
 Water Purification Company in Szentes
 Construction Engineer Company in Szentes
 Training Company in Szentes
 43rd Signal and Command Support Regiment "József Nagysándor" in Székesfehérvár, including:
 Command and Guard Company
 Combat Command Main C4I Centre
 Transdanubian Signal and C4I Centre
 Lowland Signal and C4I Centre at Szolnok Air Base
 Signal Battalion
 Logistics Battalion
 93rd CBRN defense Battalion "Sándor Petőfi" in Székesfehérvár, comprising:
 Command Company
 CBRN-decontaminating Company
 CBRN-reconnaissance Company
 CBRN-support Company
 Support Company

Equipment

Ranks and insignia

See also 
 Military of Hungary
 Royal Hungarian Army (1922–1945)
 Royal Hungarian Landwehr (1867–1918)

Citations

References

 

Military of Hungary
Hungary