NATO praises the increase in Slovakia's defence spending in order to fulfil the obligation to spend 2 percent of GDP on defence, however, it negatively assesses the deadline for the completion of building a heavy mechanised brigade, according to the evaluation of Slovakia's defence plans for 2021-2022, which the Government took note of on Wednesday. The Defence Ministry stated that the assessment report acknowledges some recent progress. At the same time, however, it states that "the defence planning priorities of Slovakia and NATO remain not well aligned in practice, primarily due to long-term delays in modernisation projects, low staffing levels and insufficient funding in the past". The ministry expects a more positive assessment in 2024 due to the recent signing of contracts for 8x8 armoured combat vehicles and tracked vehicles, other ongoing and planned deliveries of equipment as well as a planned increase in the number of professional soldiers and investments in defence. In the report, the Alliance criticises the delay of the heavy mechanised brigade, which is the main priority for Slovakia within the scope of the capability goals. "Slovakia will be able to provide a heavy mechanised brigade only from 2035. Considering the fact that the Slovak Republic has accepted the commitment to provide this unit from 2018 in the lower readiness forces and from 2027 in the higher readiness forces, this is a very significant delay," said the ministry. The NATO report also states that Slovakia will meet most of its air force capability targets. According to the document, Slovakia also quantitatively, albeit with certain qualitative limitations, fulfills both of its objectives for the capability of NATO special operations forces (SOF). In the field of support units, Slovakia fulfills its objectives with limitations. In the area of stabilisation and reconstruction, the Slovak Republic is fully implementing quantitative goals but due to limited personnel capacities and training opportunities, it does not have the complete required expertise.
Source: TASR
