Violent attacks and other crimes are becoming more prevalent, multi-pronged, and less costly to carry out, and despite avoiding the headline-worthy mass casualty incidents seen elsewhere in Europe, Hungary has had its fair share of underworld activity — from white collar criminals to drug dealers, Islamists, and spies.
So, who does the dirty work of countering these threats? Mandiner has written up an exposé on Hungary’s special forces, units deployed to “take down” armed criminals and terrorists.
The country’s counter-terrorism, law enforcement professionals, government actors, representatives of the security sector, and the private sector all collaborate to improve the efficiency of responses, preventive protection measures, and risk analysis. This is especially important in a new era of organized crime and a surge in cybercrime.
Mass migration, human trafficking, and drugs/arms smuggling have all contributed to an especially dangerous and challenging environment.
In addition to hierarchical criminal organizations, international networks are increasingly appearing on the continent, which have built close ties with South American, Balkan, Ukrainian, Russian, Asian, and African criminal groups, Mandiner notes. This makes international cooperation a must.
Hungary’s Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK) was only established under the second Orbán government in 2010. Its task is to combat terrorism, protect high-profile individuals, and carry out special operations to capture armed criminals and stop other extremely dangerous individuals.
Members of TEK operational units undergo a rigorous physical, psychological, and professional selection process, the portal writes. During their training, they acquire special combat, tactical, and technical skills, including close combat, sniper shooting, diving, and parachuting.
Hungary also has the MERKUR Deployment Unit, an elite squad of the Criminal Directorate General of the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV), which specializes in combating economic crimes. Its main task is to prevent and interrupt crimes within the jurisdiction of the tax and customs office and to apprehend persons caught in the act or reasonably suspected of committing a crime.
MERKUR also guards and accompanies highly dangerous people who have been detained and are at risk for violent behavior or escape. The commandos of this NAV unit participate in regular physical and shooting exercises, as well as special tactical training. Members must pass rigorous requirements for physical and psychological fitness.
Although it does not participate in domestic raids, the elite unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces is among the best in Hungary. The Árpád Bertalan Special Operations Brigade is the main, active special operations unit of the Hungarian army. It is headquartered in Szolnok and is named after the Árpád Bertalan Parachute Battalion, the commander of the first Hungarian Parachute Team.
Their main tasks are to carry out infiltration into enemy territory, hostage rescues, reconnaissance, and other military operations in crisis zones.
Hungarian special forces have participated in numerous international missions as well, primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hungary served as the lead nation of the third Afghan rotation, leading the special forces in the eastern region of Afghanistan for half a year. Both NATO and the United States have rated the capabilities of the Hungarian special operations force as excellent.
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