Officials at the agreement signing ceremony. Credit: MTI.

The Hungarian Government has signed a licence agreement for a €100m ten-year contract with the Czech Republic to manufacture small arms for the infantry.

The agreement was signed between Ceská Zbrojovka Export CEO David Höfer and Hungary Ministry of Defence’s ARZENÁL Co CEO Roland Kránicz. It will see Hungary produce 200,000 firearms.

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Initially, Hungary will only assemble the weapons based on a Czech licence. Full production will commence in Hungary from January. The weapons produced were already subject to testing by soldiers and policemen.

“Development of the Hungarian Defence Forces began in 2017 and is expected to continue until 2026 in line with the government’s aim to create a ‘combat-worthy, professional force’.”

According to Hungary Minister of Defence István Simicskó, the contract to manufacture small arms in Hungary represents a significant milestone in the development of the country’s defence forces.

Development of the Hungarian Defence Forces began in 2017 and is expected to continue until 2026 in line with the government’s aim to create a ‘combat-worthy, professional force’.

As part of the ongoing strengthening of the Hungarian defence industry, the government plans to improve defence industry capacities in cooperation with the V4 countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

The decision to sign the agreement with the Czech Republic in connection with the manufacturing of small arms was arrived at following consultations with a working group of experts.

Pursuant to the licence agreement, the Czech Armed Forces will also receive certain weapons manufactured in Hungary.

Alongside the contract, Hungary held discussions with other V4 countries to increase defence and military cooperation.