Hungarian defence ministry under scrutiny for costly consultancy contract with UK firm
The defence ministry's former leadership signed a consultancy deal with a British company that funded regulations, leadership training and an unused uniform, prompting the minister to announce a criminal complaint.
In a Facebook video, Defence Minister Ruszin-Szendi Romulusz disclosed that the ministry's former leadership contracted a British consultancy, spending money on drafting regulations, senior-level training and a uniform that was never adopted. The minister added that audits of past procurement uncovered several dubious expenses, such as hiring private soldiers for personal travel, purchasing hunting insurance, and acquiring a luxury car.
He stated that a criminal complaint for suspected mishandling of funds will be filed against an unknown individual. The minister also warned that the ministry's storage now contains numerous unused items, likening the situation to a surplus of skeletons rather than uniforms. This revelation has sparked calls for greater transparency in defence spending.
Why it matters
It highlights potential misuse of public funds in Hungary's defence sector and raises demands for accountability.
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