Prospects for a Common European Army Discussed at Tusványos

A high-profile panel discussion at the 34th Bálványos Summer Free University and Student Camp, known as Tusványos, was held on Friday under the guiding theme of the famous Roman maxim, Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war). The event featured Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky; Hungarian MP and President of the National Assembly’s Defence Committee Lajos Kósa; Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) Botond Csoma; security policy expert József Horváth; university professor Dezső Szenkovics; and Iulian Fota, national security adviser to a former Romanian president. The panel explored the enduring and contemporary relevance of the quote by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus in light of current regional and global security challenges.

A Common European Army: Reality or Wishful Thinking?

The panellists first addressed the question of whether the concept of a common European army is achievable in the current political climate. The unanimous answer was a clear no. Lajos Kósa, offering a more political than expert perspective, asserted that the European Union currently lacks all the necessary conditions to establish a common defence force: a lack of financing, organizational structure, and shared strategic objectives. He cited a historical example—the centuries-long struggle of the Habsburg Empire to establish a common language of command in the army, which by the outbreak of World War I had resulted in five official languages. Kósa argued that the creation of a common army would inevitably lead to the emergence of some form of European empire—an ambition he claimed is already reflected in the centralizing efforts of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. However, he added that the establishment of common special units for peacekeeping or counterterrorism could be feasible in the short to medium term.

Agreeing with Mr Kósa, Dezső Szenkovics stated that the creation of a common European defence force is unrealistic in the medium term, primarily because member states’ positions on sovereignty differ significantly. He identified financial feasibility as another major obstacle. ‘A significant number of member states are not even reaching the 2 per cent threshold required by NATO, let alone the recently approved 3.5 plus 1.5 per cent commitment,’ he pointed out. According to the professor, the only viable path forward is for EU member states to actively engage in NATO and make every effort to meet the alliance’s requirements. ‘In the mid-term, this is the only way to guarantee European security,’ he stressed.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky underlined that the primary debate within NATO and the European Union is not about forming a common European army, but rather about arming the Ukrainian armed forces and maintaining them in a state of military readiness, even in peacetime. According to the minister, Hungary and the United States remain the only countries advocating that peace can only be achieved through negotiations. Nevertheless, he warned that the pieces of the puzzle pointing towards a major European war are falling into place: an ‘ultimate evil’ has been identified, countries are aligning themselves against it under the banner of moral obligation, and the necessary financial resources are already being mobilized. Therefore, he argued, Hungary must be governed by calm, composed, and experienced leadership.

József Horváth highlighted the paradox of the European Union preparing for war while simultaneously dismantling its own agriculture and energy sectors—two essentials without which waging war is impossible. He also stressed that a common European army would require not only unified intelligence structures and common weapons systems, but also advanced technological capabilities, in which the EU is heavily reliant on the United States.

‘The pieces of the puzzle pointing towards a major European war are falling into place’

According to Botond Csoma, the main question is not whether there will be a common army, but rather how the EU will respond to the evolving global landscape, where the Pax Americana is undergoing transformation. ‘The world in which only the United States takes care of defence and protects the EU from every threat is over,’ he warned. In this new context, he argued, the EU should prioritize the development of a strong common defence industry—something it currently lacks due to the structural deficiencies discussed earlier.

A Decade Long Military Modernization

Addressing the state of Hungarian military modernization, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized that the government is not reacting to recent developments, as the modernization process began more than a decade ago due to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s excellent situational awareness. As a result, Hungary has achieved full rearmament in terms of its land forces, air force, and drone capabilities—marking a period of major and visible transformation in national defence.

While recent years have focused on modernizing military hardware, the current phase of armed forces development has shifted towards structural reform and personnel. Particular emphasis is being placed on improving the social standing and welfare of soldiers through targeted social measures and increased recognition of their service. In parallel, substantial investments are being made in infrastructure, ensuring that facilities match the advanced capabilities of the modernized forces. All these efforts are part of a strategically determined path aimed at strengthening Hungary’s defence posture in a sustainable and future-oriented manner.

In his concluding remarks, Dezső Szenkovics pointed out that the role of the army is currently being upscaled due to the war raging in Ukraine. However, he lamented, if the world order remains unipolar, these issues will no longer carry the same weight. Should the world move towards multipolarity, however, the role of the military will remain as significant as it is today.

Agreeing with Szenkovics, Csoma argued that the unipolar world order is here to stay, with the United States continuing to be the principal global power. However, it will no longer be an omnipotent one—meaning that Europe can no longer avoid dealing with defence matters on its own.

József Horváth underscored the human factor in army modernization. ‘The concepts of patriotism, love for the homeland have been eradicated from societies in Western Europe,’ he warned, stressing that even the most advanced technologies require trained personnel to operate.

Concluding the panel, Lajos Kósa stated that he does not believe in a common European defence industry modernization, primarily because the EU lacks three key elements: innovation capability, decision-making ability, and an effective operational system. Therefore, he argued, military modernization should be implemented through partnerships involving two or three countries that possess these capabilities.

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