Based on the current governmental manifesto, Slovakia's Security Strategy should be shortly followed by the Defence Strategy. This is to be prepared by the Defence Ministry. According to Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš (a Slovak National Party nominee), the defence strategy will focus on the development of the military, with a stress on the need to secure its structure. Meanwhile, the Slovak Armed Forces will pay special attention to building the ground forces and modernising the air force. Overall, the modernisation projects should receive 7.2 billion euros in the next few years. The new strategic documents stipulate Slovakia's commitment to increase its defence spending to 1.6% of GDP in 2020 and 2% of GDP as of 2024.
Zuzana Botiková, Photo: TASR
