This article represents the structure of the Hungarian Defence Forces as of 2020:
Article 45 of the Constitution of Hungary states that the core duties of the Defence Forces are: "military defence of the independence, territorial integrity and borders of Hungary and the performance of collective defence and peacekeeping tasks arising from international treaties, as well as carrying out humanitarian activities in accordance with the rules of international law."
The President holds the title of commander-in-chief of the Defence Force.[5] The Government (chaired by the Prime Minister) decides on the deployment and operations undertaken by the Defence Force, all deployments abroad with the exception of EU or NATO missions, needs permission from the National Assembly.[6] The Minister of Defence jointly with Chief of Staff administers the Defence Force, including the Hungarian Ground Force and the Hungarian Air Force.
Since 2007, the Hungarian Defence Force has been under a unified command structure with all operational units falling under the Hungarian Defence Forces Combat Command. The previous Land Command became a joint-service, army and air, command. The two branches of the Defense Forces – the Hungarian Air Force and Hungarian Ground Forces have now only administrative functions.
Logistic Support for the defence forces is managed by the Hungarian Defense Forces Logistics Center, while the training for all units is the responsibility of the Hungarian Defense Forces Formation, Preparation and Training Command.
The 32nd National Home Defense Ceremonial Regiment (32. Nemzeti Honvéd Díszegység) has been the official Guard of honour unit of the HDF, from 1 January 2011. It took over the protocol duties from the former Ceremonial Battalion (Honvéd Díszzászlóalj) which was founded in 2007 and that was in turn preceded by the 32nd Budapest Guard and Ceremonial Regiment (MH 32. Budapest Őr- és Díszezred), which traced back until 1991.[47][48][49][50][51]
This ceremonial unit takes part in the welcoming of foreign dignitaries to Budapest. Furthermore, it mounts the Sándor Palace Guard, the Hungarian Parliament Guard and the Holy Crown Guard. The battalion has also a mounted detachment, clad in historical green-red hussars uniforms.
The official ceremonial honour guard of the Hungarian People's Republic was the 7015th Ceremonial Regiment of the Hungarian People's Army (Hungarian: Magyar Néphadsereg 7015 Dísz -és őrezred).[52][53]
The Hungarian Defense Forces Central Military Band (Magyar Honvédség Központi Zenekar) is the representative musical ensemble of the HDF. Although it was officially founded in 1962, its history goes back to 1896, when the first Hungarian military band of music was established in Budapest. Today, the Central Band maintains a fanfare unit as well as a drum corps. The primary task of the Central Band is to take part in national, military, and protocol events. Other activities include cultivation of Hungarian soldiers and wind-music traditions, the promotion and amateur brass bands. The Central Band is a regular participant in international and domestic festivals, and nearly a dozen CDs of performances by the Central Band have been published.[54][55]