Government Commissioner for Defense Development Gáspár Maróth signed an agreement on Wednesday in Israel, in the presence of Cví Marmor, vice president of the manufacturing group Rafael Advanced Defense System Ltd., for the procurement of Spike guided anti-tank missiles. Maróth also discussed military developments at Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The Spike missile attacks armored vehicles from above following a high trajectory and targeting them where they are most vulnerable. It is also suitable for destroying reinforced bunkers as well as any target that requires accurate and destructive power.
The first Spike LR2 missiles could be part of the weapon systems of the Lynx infantry combat vehicles currently being built for the Hungarian Defence Forces.
During his visit to Israel, Gáspár Maróth told an MTI correspondent that the Iron Dome radar protection system, previously procured by Hungary, would be viewed live and under operational conditions, organized by IAI.
With the help of local experts, the technical parameters of the units to be installed in Hungary will be specified, while other possible areas of cooperation and joint development with Israel will be looked into as well.
“The Iron Dome radar system, the most advanced of its kind in the world and already purchased by four other NATO countries, is far ahead of the technical parameters and capabilities of other similar products. Hungary has different types of missiles and therefore, for cost-effectiveness, has bought a different but similarly efficient missile system in addition to the complex radar systems,” the government commissioner noted.
“Unfortunately, the capabilities [of the Iron Dome] could be seen in action a few weeks ago. We have also come because our Israeli colleagues are showing us what they have learned after the recent operation against Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. We are going out into the field where they will show us how the system works […] and share their experiences of the last few months,” Maróth said
“If we look at only the last few months, the world has been changing at such a rate that today it would be irresponsible to our country, our compatriots, if we did not take steps to make sure we had a modern army. No one can honestly say anymore that you don’t have to be ready for any possibility,” he said, stressing the importance of arms purchases.
“We are talking about being able to protect ourselves. This is such a critical element of a defense system without which there is no protection. It was our obligation to buy this for Hungary,” Maróth emphasized.
The Hungarian delegation also visited IAI’s drone production and discussed developments in the space industry.
“We hope that Hungarian investors and Israeli companies will join the space industry together in the coming months. We could see some very serious developments here,” the government commissioner said.
“For us, the strategy of the Israeli military industry, the way they have developed it, sets an example for us. We both started from the same foundation — national sovereignty was also the main guiding principle in Israel when they decided after 1948 to establish their own military industry. We are learning a lot from their experiences here and we are grateful that they are willing to share them with us. Israel is extremely open to joint development,” he said
„The unfortuante reason for the rapid developments in Israel is the daily threats they face. I think many of my colleagues here would rather develop more slowly, they are not happy to have to continuously use weapons,” noted the commissioner.
“On the other hand, I also see a very strong national consciousness, it makes them proud to be among the best in the world. Although they are not among the great powers in terms of numbers, they are clearly so from a military standpoint,” Gáspár Maróth emphasized during his visit to Israel.
