Third NATO Radar Station to be Built in Hungary

Hungarian Ministry of Defence, The NATO Infrastructural Committee (NATO IC) is on a week-long working visit to Hungary between 10th and 17th June. It is the first time that the oldest committee of the alliance (which has a 50-year history) has held a session in our country. 
 
During their program, the committee members are to learn about the investments made in Hungary within the framework of the NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP) and also about the Hungarian defence sector and the development projects. 
 
Defence Minister Dr. Imre Szekeres welcomed the committee members on the first day of their working visit, saying that Hungary has done everything to develop collective security within the alliance. The minister pointed out that visits like this one “reinforce our commitment to deal with this issue more intensively,” adding that he expected the budget to provide more elbow room for that. 
 
“The NSIP is of outstanding importance for Hungary, so far it has included some significant programs like the development of the Kecskemént and the Pápa air bases and the two 3D radar stations. We will build the third radar station, too. I would like to thank you for your understanding attitude to this issue. 
 
“The investment is going to obtain a valid building permit, but of course we will take the interests of the opposing movements into account as well. We are to set up an information center at Pécs and a civilian watchdog group will also be formed,” Imre Szekeres said. 
 
The minister also revealed that 30 out of 50 independent projects have already been completed within four capability groups in Hungary, and other nations are already showing significant interest in them. 
 
It was important to create the legal background to these projects and to prepare the domestic companies because – as a new opportunity for them – the tender is open to companies of other NATO members states, too. 
 
It was also disclosed that currently more than 180 Hungarian firms are suitable NATO suppliers, and almost as many as them are qualified NATO suppliers.