2017 Comprehensive Defence Review of the Slovak Republic
No. 37 ● Vol. VII ● www.mosr.sk/ebulletin/
(5 September) The SVK MOD introduced the 2017 Comprehensive Defence Review (CDR) of the Slovak Republic to the Security Council and the Cabinet. At the same time, it released a communiqué which, according to the Classified Information Protection Act, contains all basic and releasable information on the status of Defence in the Slovak Republic in 2017. The document gives a positive assessment of the updated strategic documents, i.e. the Defence and Military Strategies of the Slovak Republic. Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said: “From the perspective of modernization, the key was to endorse the Long-Term Defence Development Plan with an Outlook to 2030, which also represents an investment plan. This confirms our intention to drive through modernization systemically and systematically rather than making ad hoc decisions.” On the matter of investments and modernization, last year was a landmark milestone insofar as the SVK Air Force began to take deliveries of new aircraft. The SVK Cabinet also approved further modernization programmes, especially the procurement of 8×8 IFVs and 4×4 light tactical vehicles. Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Besides the pros, we openly admit there are also a number of cons, such as the failure to meet the target of a Mechanized Brigade and the fact that the military job is losing its popularity.” Last year the MOD began drafting a new SVK Military Personnel Management Concept. CDR 2017 also mentions several legislative amendments. Last year the legal field was dominated by positive amending proposals being projected into the VMT Amendment Act, the Conscription Amendment Act, and the National Liberation Struggle Participants Amendment Act. The changes meant greater State support and better conditions for those concerned. On work with schools throughout Slovakia, the MOD continued with basic Army physical training/trade-specific training for students. Throughout 2017, Slovakia managed to sustain its reputation of a reliable and responsible partner on the international stage.
● Members of the Engineer Battalion Sereď and members of the Czech Armyʼs 15th Engineer Regiment Bechyně have deployed on Ex River 2018, to practise their basic capabilities in response to domestic crisis management situations, especially on occurrence of natural disasters. The exercise runs on 9-14 Sept 2018 in Kráľová nad Váhom.
Modernization and jobs (6 September) Up to 800 new jobs will be created in Slovakia as the 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and Zuzana 2 Selfpropelled Gun Howitzer (SpGH) programmes transition into production. This was announced by Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš at a press conference held at DMD GROUP, a staterun joint stock company based in Dubnica nad Váhom. On the job creation strategy in the defence sector, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Thanks to the decision to go down the path of supporting the domestic defence industry and putting Slovak products into service with the SVK Armed Forces, we will considerably revive the defence industry in the Považie region. As a result, an estimated 150-300 jobs will be created in the DMD GROUP companies, and so will a further 300-500 jobs in the supply chain of subcontractors and collaborative firms.” He went on to say that this will take place in stages in dependence on contracted work, agreed timeline, and production volume. “In our efforts, we are absolutely committed to delivering on yet another premise spelt out in the Slovak Government Manifesto and the Slovak National Party Manifesto, one which gives strong support to the development of the domestic defence industry,” he emphasised. General Secretary of the Service Office Ján Hoľko underlined that the past assertions that the State is incapable of managing the defence industry efficiently and that all manufacturing capacities should be leased to the private sector have not turned out to be true. “This is evidenced by the fact that today we have a unique Slovak product which is the outcome of R&D conducted by our companies. And the prototype will cost less than previously expected,” he said, adding that, aside from the DMD GROUP companies, Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín, too, is doing well in the Trenčín region, sustaining almost 350 jobs. “On average, the salaries there have gone up 21% over the recent period,” he said. According to Director General of DMD GROUP, a.s. Vladimír Ďuriš, thanks to the projects now underway for the SVK Armed Forces, the potential that was dormant for years in the region, the heart of Slovakiaʼs defence industry in the past, has been awakened and is being developed. “It is largely thanks to the efforts of the MOD people and leaders that we are now in a situation where we can take a breath and propose solutions not only for the SVK Armed Forces but also for foreign partners,” he said. On the increase in employment levels, he said that the companies under DMD GROUP cooperate with the Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín and other schools as part of dual education. The procurement of 8×8 IFVs and Zuzana 2 SpGHs for the needs of the Slovak Armed Forces proceeds according to the 2030 Long-Term Defence Development Plan. The production costs of 155mm Zuzana 2 SpGHs are estimated at €175 million, VAT included. When it comes to the procurement of 8×8 IFVs, the costs should not exceed €417 million, whereas the price of a vehicle is estimated at up to €4 million, VAT included.
● On 3-7 Sept 2018, the Topographical Institute, based in Banská Bystrica, hosted Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) training – Part 6 under the aegis of our allied partner Indiana National Guard. The aim of the training activity was to improve the readiness and specialist skills of Slovak IMINT specialists in line with NATO standardization agreements (STANAGs), with English as the operational language. ● The 24th International Military Bands Festival was held on 1-2 Sept 2018 in Kroměříž, Czechia. Representing Slovakia at the event were the Presidential Guard of Honour and the Military Band Banská Bystrica. ● This yearʼs most significant event of the Catholic Church in Slovakia was the beatification of Anna Kolesárová on 1 Sept 2018 at the Košice Football Stadium, with the participation of Ordinary of the SVK Armed Forces and Armed Corps Mons František Rábek and the Presidential Guard of Honour. ● The Commander CSS Prešov Change of Command (COC) Ceremony took place on 31 Aug 2018. Lt Col Daniel Draganovský, COM CSS Prešov, was promoted to Colonel with effect from 1 Sept 2018 and was posted to Land Forces HQ Trenčín. Maj Ján Farkaš, DCOM CCS Prešov, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was appointed COM CCS Prešov.
The first MiOD passes away (5 September) The first Minister of Defence of the independent Slovak Republic Colonel General (Rtd) Imrich Andrejčák passed away at the age of 77 in the morning of 5 September 2018. On behalf of the Slovak Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš and Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko expressed their sincere condolences to the family and close ones. Condolence books have been opened at the SVK MOD, the SVK Air Forceʼs HQ AIRCOM, Land HQ and subordinate HQs for members of the public who wish to sign them. The black flag was raised as a sign of mourning. Colonel General (Rtd) Imrich Andrejčák was born in 1941 in the village of Haniska. He was commissioned as an Army Officer in the rank of Lieutenant in 1961. He was a recipient of numerous military awards and decorations – notably the Order of Milan Rastislav Štefánik, 2nd Class. After the establishment of an independent Slovak Republic, he assumed the appointment of Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic on 16 March 1993. He held the post until 14 March 1994.
● The Slovak aviation community met at the 5th Golden Wing Awards/National Aviation Awards, organised by the Slovak Aviation Agency, at the Tactical Wing Sliač on 31 Aug 2018. ● The SVK MOD urges drivers to take caution as there will be 52 Allied military road and 2 railway movements across Slovakia in the period between 10 and 16 Sept 2018. They will mainly involve US and POL troops in support of Ex Toxic Valley. SVK Army convoys will also transport oversized cargo along the routes: Sliač – Banská Bystrica – Martin; Nitra – Hlohovec – Trenčín; Sereď – Žilina – Martin; Piešťany – Sereď – Nitra – Levice; Trebišov – Humenné – Medzilaborce – Kalinov; Martin – Zvo-len – Krupina – Centrum výcviku Lešť; Rožňava – Rimavská Sobota – Zvolen – Trenčín – Driemota; Rožňava – Zvolen – Handlová – Zemianske Kostoľany; Martin – Žilina – Piešťany – Levice. There will also be railway movements along the routes: Nitra – Sása and Martin – Sása Pliešovce.
Holocaust victims honoured (7 September) To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš honoured the victims of the Holocaust and racial violence during a commemoration ceremony in Rybné Square, Bratislava. Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “A lot of years seem to have passed since the end of WW2. Back then a lot of horrors were experienced by the victims of the Holocaust at concentration camps. This makes us remember that human life is of highest value and that we must protect it.” He added that today it is not permissible for the voices of right-wing extremism and racial hatred to grow stronger.
A historical battle re-enactment in tribute to the SNP in Zázrivá (8 September) Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš paid tribute to the heroes of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in the village of Zázrivá. The official commemoration included a historical battle re-enactment. In his statement on this occasion, Head of the MOD underlined the significance of commemorative events such as this one, thanks to which it is possible to give contemporary generations a realistic idea of what the struggle for liberation was like in WW2. SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Today when the young generation slowly forgets what horrors WW2 brought to humanity, it is very important to keep in mind that freedom and peace have not always been here and that our grandparents
eBULLETIN SVK MoD
had to pay a lot for them.” The Minister praised the heroism and dedication of all brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against Nazism during the SNP operations. He further noted that “The Slovak National Uprising was a historical landmark in which our forebears showed the world that we respect values such as freedom and peace, because we set out to fight for them without any guarantees of success.” The village of Zázrivá was liberated on 6 April 1945 by units of the Soviet Armyʼs 138th Rifle Division, 17th Guard Rifle Corps. A Memorial dedicated to the Fallen in the SNP and WW2 was unveiled in the village as early as 1976.
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