Changes announced to SVK Armed Forces Command with effect from 1 May 2022

Brig Gen Peter Babiar has been appointed Deputy Chief of Defence/Chief of Staff (DCHOD/COS) in succession to Maj Gen Štefan Kovács, who is leaving the Service after nearly 37 years of service. During today's ceremony held at the MOD Club, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko bade farewell to Maj Gen Kovács, as well as appointing Brig Gen Peter Babiar as his successor and Col Martin Remeš as Commander of the Strategic Crisis Management Centre of the SVK Defence Staff, in succession to Brig Gen Tibor Králik.

Speaking at the ceremony, CHOD Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “We are living through a difficult time which has brought with itself a host of challenges for members of the Slovak Armed Forces. Nevertheless, the strength of an organisation is in its people and I can see a strong team here.” Gen Zmeko went on to thank Maj Gen Kovács for his work and saluted his life-long service and personal engagement. At the same time, he wished the newly appointed leaders the very best in their future decisions.

Thanking Maj Gen Kovács for his years of service to the nation, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Itʼs an honour to be leading a ministry where people are living up to the Oath of Allegiance to the last full stop, regardless of the situation, time or place. General Kovács is one of those who have left so much of themselves in Defence through their record of honest service.”

At the end of his remarks, Brig Gen Peter Babiar, the newly appointed Deputy Chief of Defence, said: “Although difficult times bring new opportunities, the one all-important thing we wish is to live in peace as we witness the horrors of war in our close neighbourhood.”

The new top appointments of SVK Armed Forces Command along with the SVK Government-proposed post extention for Gen Zmeko as Chief of Defence ensure continuity of direction and development in the way the Slovak Armed Forces move forward, while making it possible to accomplish the assigned tasks and to maintain the high trust of the Slovak public in the men and women of the Slovak Armed Forces.