In the late 1980s, Hungary's defense policy was in a state of flux. The government no longer stressed the possibility of a NATO attack, nor did it consider likely a Soviet intervention to halt Hungary's march toward reform. In fact, spokesmen for both Hungary and the Soviet Union publicÍÍÍly alluded to a possible withdrawal of Hungary from the Warsaw Pact and the proclamation of neutrality for Hungary such as that enjoyed by Finland and Austria. But both sides spoke cautiously about this possibility, and the Hungarian government stressed that it did not wish to pursue neutrality at the risk of upsetting the balance of power in Europe.

Data as of September 1989