NATO reviews Slovakiaʼs defence planning in a more positive light than in the past
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- Date: 07.06.2018
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The North Atlantic Alliance has reviewed Slovakiaʼs defence planning in a more positive light than in the past. This follows from the NATO Defence Planning Capability Review 2017-2018 that NATO Defence Ministers today (7 June) dealt with at the North Atlantic Council (NAC) meeting in Brussels.
On Slovakia’s defence planning, SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Compared to last year’s Defence Planning Capability Review – Slovak Republic, what NATO really appreciates above all is our gradual increase in defence spending, which is set to reach 1.6% and 2% of GDP on defence in 2020 and 2024, respectively. The Alliance also gives a positive review of Slovakiaʼs contributions to NATO’s missions and operations, especially of our participation in NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.” He continued: “However, we are falling behind with the stand-up of a heavy mechanised brigade. And that is why Slovakia has set out to expedite the stand-up of a tank battalion and is proceeding with the procurement of 8x8 armoured IFVs.”
He went on to underscore that it is always necessary to balance what NATO requires and what a country can afford realistically, whilst still respecting Article 3 of the Washington Treaty insofar that Slovakia is obliged to shore up existing defence capabilities at the national level.
In further reflecting on Slovakiaʼs defence capabilities building, Minister Gajdoš noted that NATO does not see the modernization of SVK tactical aviation as a priority. According to the Alliance, we can deliver on our commitments to NATINAMDS with our current fleet of MiG-29 jets or in another way. Nevertheless, the MOD’s current leaders deem the replacement of the MiG-29 fleet a core issue in securing the sovereignty of our country. “That is why it holds true that we will have submitted a document on how to secure our airspace to the SVK Cabinet by the end of June the latest,” he explained.
When it comes to increasing personnel levels, the MOD is now drafting the Personnel Manning Concept and the 2018 Active Duty Soldiers’ State Service Amendment Act, to motivate SVK Armed Forces personnel towards career progression.
The NATO Defence Planning Capability Review is conducted on a bi-annual basis and consists of three parts: Overview, Staff Analysis, and Tables, whereas the former and the latter are marked as “NATO RESTRICTED” or higher by the NATO Alliance. And this is equally true of all Member States. Based on a specific request from the MOD, the Overview will be available to those who it may concern (under current legislation).
Head of the SVK MOD then participated in the Military Mobility Symposium organised by EDA and the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Brussels. Military Mobility, a Dutch-led PESCO project, aims to facilitate rapid and effective movement of troops and materiel in favour of Allied responsiveness to crisis situations. During the Symposium, Ministers talked about the readiness, augmentation and support to armed forces. On this, Minister Gajdoš stressed that “if we have one set of forces, we need one set of roads”.
On Slovakia’s defence planning, SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Compared to last year’s Defence Planning Capability Review – Slovak Republic, what NATO really appreciates above all is our gradual increase in defence spending, which is set to reach 1.6% and 2% of GDP on defence in 2020 and 2024, respectively. The Alliance also gives a positive review of Slovakiaʼs contributions to NATO’s missions and operations, especially of our participation in NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.” He continued: “However, we are falling behind with the stand-up of a heavy mechanised brigade. And that is why Slovakia has set out to expedite the stand-up of a tank battalion and is proceeding with the procurement of 8x8 armoured IFVs.”
He went on to underscore that it is always necessary to balance what NATO requires and what a country can afford realistically, whilst still respecting Article 3 of the Washington Treaty insofar that Slovakia is obliged to shore up existing defence capabilities at the national level.
In further reflecting on Slovakiaʼs defence capabilities building, Minister Gajdoš noted that NATO does not see the modernization of SVK tactical aviation as a priority. According to the Alliance, we can deliver on our commitments to NATINAMDS with our current fleet of MiG-29 jets or in another way. Nevertheless, the MOD’s current leaders deem the replacement of the MiG-29 fleet a core issue in securing the sovereignty of our country. “That is why it holds true that we will have submitted a document on how to secure our airspace to the SVK Cabinet by the end of June the latest,” he explained.
When it comes to increasing personnel levels, the MOD is now drafting the Personnel Manning Concept and the 2018 Active Duty Soldiers’ State Service Amendment Act, to motivate SVK Armed Forces personnel towards career progression.
The NATO Defence Planning Capability Review is conducted on a bi-annual basis and consists of three parts: Overview, Staff Analysis, and Tables, whereas the former and the latter are marked as “NATO RESTRICTED” or higher by the NATO Alliance. And this is equally true of all Member States. Based on a specific request from the MOD, the Overview will be available to those who it may concern (under current legislation).
Head of the SVK MOD then participated in the Military Mobility Symposium organised by EDA and the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Brussels. Military Mobility, a Dutch-led PESCO project, aims to facilitate rapid and effective movement of troops and materiel in favour of Allied responsiveness to crisis situations. During the Symposium, Ministers talked about the readiness, augmentation and support to armed forces. On this, Minister Gajdoš stressed that “if we have one set of forces, we need one set of roads”.
