Spymaster | Hungary
Sandor Pinter, the immovable warden of Hungarian intelligence

Africa, Hungary
Well-connected cop on track to be Hungary's consul in Chad

Budapest is preparing for its military deployment in Chad, a first for the country. It is also boosting its diplomatic presence there by opening a consulate. The likely candidate to run the new mission is a veteran of international security missions in Africa.

Hungary
Recruitment problems delay Hungary's Chad mission

Originally planned for December, the deployment of Hungarian troops to Chad has been repeatedly postponed, now to April. One reason for the delay is the unexpected lack of volunteers for the high-risk mission.

Hungary, Sweden
Saab agrees to defence cooperation as part of new Gripen aircraft deal

On Friday 23 February, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán announced that the government was buying four additional JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft from Swedish aircraft manufacturer Saab, catching his own diplomatic corps off guard.

The Agencies' Gazette
Orban's comms chiefs on fire duty, DGSE traitor's ex-wife to tell her story, Macron and Wang Yi hunt date for Paris trip

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

HungaryOrban's communications advisers try to contain Fidesz revolt

FranceDGSE traitor's ex-wife to take part in French TV documentary on China's secret services

ChineEmmanuel Macron to meet Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi regarding Xi Jinping's visit to France

Hungary
Hungarian defence ministry's rising star takes charge of strategy review

Innovation commissioner Imre Porkolab is moving up the ranks in a Hungarian defence ministry in the throes of reform, as it tries to maintain cordial relations with Moscow while also deepening its involvement in European defence structures.

Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine
Partners Aero Vodochody and Omnipol torn over Ukraine strategy

The Czech manufacturer of the L-39 fighter jet Aero Vodochody has kept a back seat on Ukraine, largely because of its majority shareholders' ties with Hungarian leader Viktor Orban. Its other shareholder however, the Czech group Omnipol, is actively providing its wares to Ukraine's armed forces.

Europe, Hungary
Informal Fidesz lobby starts to take shape in Brussels

Two young Hungarians, sent by the government in Budapest, have been organising informal evenings for their compatriots in the "Brussels bubble". This embryonic lobby can only be good news for the Hungarian authorities, which are mobilising hard in the European Union capital.

Europe, Hungary
Viktor Orban's intelligence corps keeps watch in Brussels

Hungary's two-year battle for access to EU funding has had a profound effect on its external intelligence missions. The Informacios Hivatal's priority is now to carefully observe EU policymakers in Brussels.

Hungary
Hungarian intelligence presses ahead with reforms in midst of upheavals

Against the backdrop of Russia's war on Ukraine, Budapest's intelligence community, which is currently undergoing major reforms, is seeking a new balance as it struggles to attract new recruits and faces scrutiny from its NATO allies.

Spymaster | Azerbaijan
Spymaster Beyler Eyyubov, the Aliyev clan's steadfast protector

Azerbaijan's presidential family has been putting its trust in the intelligence chief for years. He first handled the personal security of Heydar Aliyev, and has continued to do the same for the late head of state's son and successor, Ilham Aliyev.

China, Hungary
Giant Hungarian battery plant project strengthens Beijing's position in Central Europe

The €7.34bn investment to be made in the Hungarian city of Debrecen by Chinese electric battery specialist CATL confirms the success of China's diplomatic strategy in the region.

Hungary embarks on military and diplomatic drive in N'Djamena

Chad's new defence minister, Dago Yacouba, is expected to travel to Budapest this month to work on a security rapprochement with Hungary, which is aiming to deploy a military contingent to Chad by next year.