Hungary's potential to contribute to international security through science and technology research faces a number of daunting obstacles. As elsewhere in the transition countries of Europe, there is a squeeze on budgets for both defence and science and technology research. But the major challenges are attitudinal; politicians and the science establishment have to overcome the legacy of the Soviet era. Political elites need to take a more active interest in defence issues and academics, especially social scientists, need to develop a research agenda that escapes the ideological constraints of the past.