The War Paradox: As Hungary’s Leaders Decry Conflict, Its Defense Industry Surges

Recent media in Western circles has been quick to translate Hungary’s reluctance to engage with the War in Ukraine to the extent of its allies into a general critique of Hungary’s flagging support for NATO and European collective defense. While the former is no secret, the latter misattributes the Hungarian government’s rationale and ignores the real benefits inherent to the paradox of Hungarian views on conflict: while Hungary’s leaders rail against further involvement in war, the defense industry continues to reach new heights of growth and modernization. While easy to write off one element or the other as disingenuous (as defenders and critics might do), this report argues that the truth is more complicated. Indeed, both Hungary’s reluctance to more actively engage in Ukraine and its commitment to increase military spending, equipment production, and modernization lend credence to a nuanced view of Hungarian actions as the balance of ultimately pro-Western orientation translated through a national sovereignty-focused or “sovereigntist” lens. Though Hungarian leaders frequently criticize what they see as enforced unanimity in EU and NATO collective decision-making that downplays national concerns, Hungary’s real contributions to collective European security and its steady, though often oblique support for Ukraine are an asset to both organizations and demonstrate that even in dissent, Hungarian leaders are still committed to defending the European community.