Adaptive Hussars 2025 A National Defence Exercise Carried out by the Hungarian Defence Forces within a Government-Wide and International Framework

Abstract

The fundamental transformation of the European security environment, particularly following the military escalation of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict in 2022, has compelled NATO member states – including Hungary – to reassess their defence capabilities and readiness. In this context, the Hungarian Defence Forces conducted country defence exercise Adaptive Hussars 2025 (ADHU 25) between February and October 2025, which has been the largest and most complex national defence exercise in Hungary since the regime change. The exercise, involving approximately 22,000 personnel over an eight-month-long period, was carried out with a genuine whole-of-government approach, with the involvement of ministries, the state administration, and several NATO headquarters. This study reviews the strategic context, antecedents, and objectives of the exercise – including the verification of the implementability of the Defence Plan of the Country, the testing of the new organisational structure and operational command and control system, as well as the joint force integration of modern military equipment acquired in the framework of the Zrínyi Defence and Military Development Programme. Apart from presenting the exercise itself, the article summarises its key public findings, as well as the organisational, regulatory, and attitudinal development needs identified.