Focus on strengthening defence capabilities and the system for protection against natural and other disasters

At a working meeting, the ministry’s leadership presented the key tasks for the current term of office and briefed the Prime Minister on the state of the defence system and the system for protection against natural and other disasters, including an assessment of their performance in ensuring the national security of the Republic of Slovenia.

The main part of the meeting focused on presenting the key areas of the defence system’s activities and its readiness to carry out national defence tasks. Particular attention was paid to securing the necessary funding to strengthen defence capabilities, enhance the country’s defence capacity and ensure a safer Slovenia.

The ministry’s leadership presented Prime Minister Janša with an overview of the current size and personnel structure of the Slovenian Armed Forces, activities aimed at establishing key defence capabilities, and the Slovenian Armed Forces’ participation in international operations and missions. Additional measures to achieve the planned strength of the Slovenian Armed Forces’ active component and its voluntary contractual reserve were also presented. The discussions focused in particular on the continued modernisation and equipping of the Slovenian Armed Forces and on developing capabilities to enhance its combat readiness. The highest development priority in this area is the establishment of a medium battalion battle group, which will serve as the Slovenian Armed Forces’ central land capability and provide the basis for the further development of its land forces. This involves developing comprehensive military capabilities encompassing appropriately trained personnel, weapons, logistical support and infrastructure.

The discussions also addressed civil preparedness and civil defence. The Prime Minister was briefed on key tasks relating to defence planning, host nation support, critical infrastructure and civil preparedness.

In the field of protection against natural and other disasters, the ministry’s key tasks are to further strengthen and modernise the protection and rescue system, whose greatest asset is its people, particularly the many volunteers and professional emergency responders. The ministry will continue to provide appropriate equipment and infrastructure, training, technological system upgrades, and improvements to public information and alerting.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on the ministry’s activities to support the Slovenia’s defence industry. This November, the SIDEC defence industry trade fair will again be organised, showcasing high-tech companies from Slovenia and abroad operating in the defence industry sector. The interest expressed by Slovenian high-tech companies in cooperating with Ukraine on the production of drones and counter-drone protection systems was also presented.

The meeting also covered the Ministry of Defence’s activities regarding the implementation of the amendment to the Concealed War Graves and Burial of Victims Act. The ministry’s goal is to ensure the lawful, professional and dignified burial of the victims at Žale Cemetery in Ljubljana within the statutory timeframe.

According to the Prime Minister and the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, the key strategic objective of the ministry during the current term of office is to ensure a defence system capable of contributing effectively to the deterrence of threats against the Republic of Slovenia and its defence, supporting national security, and participating with a high level of readiness in collective deterrence and defence within NATO.