On a recent professional visit to the Defence Innovation Research Institute, General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the Hungarian Defence Staff, received an in-depth briefing on the Institute’s current research, development, and innovation projects. One of VIKI’s core missions is to support the transformation of the Hungarian Defence Forces through cutting-edge defence research and technology development.
VIKI designs its projects in close cooperation with the professional branches of the Hungarian Defence Forces, ensuring alignment with military requirements and user needs. The scientific foundation of these programmes is provided by defence-related basic research and the wider national research network, including the results of Thematic Excellence Programmes. Following the basic research phase, technical specification is refined through collaboration with both military and innovation partners, helping to define development priorities.
Dr. Gergely Németh, CEO of VIKI, emphasised the Institute’s commitment to supporting the technological renewal of the Hungarian Defence Forces. He highlighted the establishment of VIKI’s new technology lab, operational since 2025, as a major step forward in development capabilities. He also noted the strengthening dialogue with defence organisations and higher education institutions, ensuring that development efforts are firmly grounded in both scientific research and operational experience.
This defence-focused dialogue is advancing in two key areas: first, through research examining the impact of emerging technological trends on modern warfare, involving around 400 participants to date; and second, through the evaluation of military activities conducted in digital and synthetic environments. Over the past six months, three teams—comprising approximately 240 soldiers—have taken part in exercises at VIKI.
In the field of artificial intelligence, VIKI is finalising a new machine learning-based data analysis method. Meanwhile, AI-driven capabilities are already being integrated into drone control systems.
Among the Institute’s active R&D projects are the continued development of a lightweight, all-terrain vehicle and the launch of new programmes focused on unmanned systems, training methodologies, and autonomous capabilities. The goal is to test and deploy low-cost, semi- and fully autonomous systems.
As part of its educational innovation efforts, VIKI is also enhancing its V-learning platforms to improve the effectiveness of training in synthetic environments. This aims to reduce both human and infrastructure demands and lays the foundation for adaptive, personalised training—an online version of which is currently in development.
Lieutenant General László Tömböl, VIKI’s Military Chief Advisor, expressed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation with defence experts, noting that their deepening involvement is critical to the advancement of projects.
During his visit, General Böröndi praised the developments presented and underscored the significance of VIKI’s focused research in areas such as autonomous systems, machine learning, and digital training methods. He reaffirmed his support for the continued testing and development of VIKI’s experimental technologies, recognising their importance to the future capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Forces.
