Slovenia
Armed Forces
Significant changes have occurred since last year's Annual National Plan in that the Slovenian government has decided to end conscription in 2004 and man the army only with professional soldiers. Eligibility for service in the reserve forces will continue until 2010, while a volunteer reserve is created.
The process of professionalisation of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) will be also completed in 2010, when the maximum authorised mobilisable strength will not exceed 18,000 military personnel. The regular component will be at full strength by 2008 but it is expected that it will take two more years to complete the volunteer reserve structure. At the same time there will be a rebalancing of the structure which will improve the officer: NCO: soldier ratio. The number of civilians employed in both the SAF and the MoD is expected to be reduced but the final number will not be established until a Strategic Defence Review is complete.
These changes are supported by substantial increases in the planned Defence Budget, which should reach 2.0% of GDP by 2008.
The government and parliament have now adopted all the necessary legal documents to enable Slovenia to participate in all NATO activities. In particular, the amended Defence Act allows Slovenia to give assistance in defence to its allies and for foreign troops to be stationed on Slovenian soil.
The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF)
The SAF continues to increase the number of professional soldiers in line with previous plans. This has enabled improved manning of the reaction force, the core of which are the 10th and 17th battalions.
While increasing the professional strength of the SAF, the plans for the reduction of the wartime strength continue to be implemented. A single Force Command has been in the process of creation in 2003, which will assume the operational responsibilities of the General Staff. The organisation of the reduced General Staff will be reviewed in conjunction with that of the MoD.
Equipment and Modernisation Plans
Funding for major procurement projects is secured through the Basic Development Law, which has been extended until 2007. A working group was established to review the procurement decision-making process. Major procurement plans include logistic support vehicles, utility helicopters, light armoured vehicles, and communication equipment.
Improvements in air defence will occur through the introduction into operational use in 2003 of the ASOC system and the ROLAND battery.
Longer-term procurement plans will focus on ensuring that the three reaction force motorised battalions are fully equipped, and on improving communications and logistic capabilities.
TOTAL ARMED FORCES
ACTIVE 6,550
RESERVES 20,000
ARMY 6,550
-1 Force Comd
-1 infantry brigade with 2 mot infantry, 1 engineer, 1 MP battalion
RESERVES
On mob 2 infantry brigade each with 1 tank, 2 infantry, 1 artillery, 1 recce battalion
EQUIPMENT
MBT 40 M-84, 30 T-55S1
RECCE 8 BRDM-2
AIFV 26 M-80
APC 34 Valuk (Pandur), 28 BOV-3MD, 2 BTR-50PU
TOWED ARTILLERY 105mm: 6 M-2A1; 155mm: 18 TN-90
MOR 82mm: 60, 120 mm: 8 M-52, 16 M-74, 32 MN-9
ATGW AT-3 Sagger (including 13 BOV-3SP), AT-4 Spigot (including 12 BOV-3SP)
MARITIME ELEMENT (47)
1 maritime battlion(part of Sp Command)
BASE Koper
1 Patrol Boat Super Dvora MKII
AIR ELEMENT (530)
1 AD regiment, 1 Air regiment
8 armed helicopters
AC 9 PC-9M (armed trainer), 3 PC-9, 1 LET L-410, 2 PC-6
HELICOPTERS 3 B-206, 8* B-412, 2 AS-532
SAM 6 Roland II, 36 SA-16, 96 SA-18
AD GUNS: 12 M-55 20/3mm; 12 SPAAG BOV-3
FORCES ABROAD
UN AND PEACEKEEPING
AFGHANISTAN (ISAF): 18
BOSNIA (SFOR II): 158
MIDDLE EAST (UNTSO): 2 observations
SERBIA&MONTENEGRO (KFOR): 2
PARAMILITARY 4,500
POLICE 4,500
armed (plus 5,000 reserve)
Helicopters 2 AB-206 Jet Ranger, 1 AB-109A, 1 AB-212, 1 AB-412
Source: The Military Balance 2004 - 2005, published by the Institute of International and Strategic Studies