{"id":7426,"date":"2026-04-24T13:46:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T11:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/advocatus\/?p=7426"},"modified":"2026-04-24T14:58:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:58:31","slug":"5-for-defence-1-5-for-infrastructure-hungarys-opportunities-in-light-of-natos-new-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.dlapiper.com\/advocatus\/2026\/04\/5-for-defence-1-5-for-infrastructure-hungarys-opportunities-in-light-of-natos-new-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"5% for Defence, 1.5% for Infrastructure: Hungary’s opportunities in light of NATO’s new goals"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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New era of infrastructure investments<\/p>

In accordance with the new government\u2019s program, Hungary is committed to fulfilling NATO\u2019s 5% spending requirement by 2035. This dedication is not only about meeting the expectations of the alliance, but also about leveraging the unique opportunities provided for developing dual-use solutions in healthcare, transportation, industry, and railway infrastructure – all closely linked to national defence. <\/strong><\/p>

In practical terms, this means Hungarian market participants stand to benefit from investments that strengthen both civilian and military capabilities, positioning the country at the heart of a new wave of strategic and transformative infrastructure projects.<\/strong><\/p>

What does NATO\u2019s 1.5% mean? <\/strong><\/p>

Beyond traditional defence procurement, NATO\u2019s updated targets place increasing emphasis on the protection and resilience of civilian critical infrastructure. The new NATO benchmark allocates up to 1.5% of a country\u2019s GDP specifically for the protection of critical infrastructure, enhancing network security, boosting civilian preparedness and resilience, supporting innovation, and strengthening the defence industrial base.<\/p>

However, the precise requirements and eligible expenditures within this category are yet to be clearly defined by NATO, accordingly further clarification of these details will be crucial for parties involved in infrastructure development.<\/p>

Hungary has already invested in modern defence systems, such as NASAMS air defence, the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle, and Leopard tanks, meeting and even exceeding previous NATO commitments. Looking ahead, the emphasis is expected to move beyond traditional defence spending toward dual-use solutions, with infrastructure development playing a central role.<\/em><\/strong> This shift offers a wide range of opportunities for the infrastructure development sector in Hungary, as future investments could increasingly benefit both national security and civilian needs.<\/p>

Hungary’s role in driving smart dual-use solutions in NATO-related infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>

Hungary is expected to prioritize dual-use infrastructure investments, particularly those that support both civilian and military needs, which may be associated with the following priority areas:<\/p>