The Effect of Specific Environmental Features on the Activities of the Hungarian Defence Forces in Afghanistan

Péter Lippai,József Padányi

doi:10.32565/aarms.2013.2.3

Abstract

The environment ― primarily the weather and the terrain ― always has consid- erable impact on the success of military operations. We have numerous examples in military history when the extreme environment and the hostile weather rendered the implementation of the military leader’s plans difficult or even prevented them. These days when the consequences of climate change play an increasing role in our everyday lives we have to pay special attention to the utilization of the experience gained in our missions. The soldiers of the Hungarian Defence Forces are among the first to meet climatic extremities, considerable temperature fluctuations and diseases unknown so far. This attention is made even more important by the fact that our presence extends from Africa to Asia, thus facing extreme circumstances is inevitable. Concurrently we also have to prepare ourselves for the extremely warm or cold weather in our own country. Both the preparation of our soldiers, their clothing and assets, and our operational procedures have to be thought over. This is the only way to enable our soldiers to concentrate solely on their duties thereby increasing their efficiency and safety. We will review below the practical experi- ence gained by our soldiers in the operations in Afghanistan.

Highlights

The participation of Hungarian soldiers in missions abroad – and the collection of relevant ex- perience – started at the end of the 19th century
At the garrison5 of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of the Hungarian Defence Forces (MH) the climate significantly differs from the Hungarian conditions, most of the year
Locals, lacking anything better, obtain their drinking water from the rivers. It is not a co- incidence that the public health situation is very serious in Afghanistan which is illustrated by the high level of infant mortality (16%) and the life expectancy which is quite low compared to European conditions (45–46 years). (MH ÖHP, 2009: 66)

Summary

Introduction

The participation of Hungarian soldiers in missions abroad – and the collection of relevant ex- perience – started at the end of the 19th century. The geographic structure of the terrain, roads impassable during winter, inaccessi- ble transmission stations, routing of mountain roads, frequent and considerable water level fluctuations, the impact of high–altitude solar radiation are all factors influencing movement and the execution of tasks. As a result of consider- able temperature fluctuations, desert climate, dust and direct sunlight, effects emerged that had been unknown before. These circumstance1s9p7ut stress both on the soldiers and the tech- nical equipment. Our soldiers have kept on participating in (primarily UN) missions on the continent for decades the related challenges, among others the issue of clothing, are not unknown.. In particular in the light of the fact that in many cases these effects emerge simultaneously, and are mutually reinforcing

Mission in Afghanistan

Climatic conditions

Findings

Summary