Army to get more soldiers and technology

Slovakia should be part of defence initiative of Europe, PM Fico says.

The army will have at its disposal 58 mortars, 22 tanks, 60 armoured carriers and 12 warplanes. At the end of next year, the army will have 17,501 soldiers, which is 130 more than it has today. This has emerged from a proposal that is currently going through an interdepartmental remarking procedure.

The number of soldiers is being increased as part of the reorganisation of the 21st mixed mechanised battalion Trebišov that will create a tank battalion. The 22nd mechanised battalion Michalovce will also be reorganised to create an engineer platoon, and the supplying basement in Martin will be reorganised with the creation of guard units for ammunition stores.

The technology field will increase its number of automotive cannon howitzer from 16 to 24. The amount of infantry combat vehicles will increase from 159 to 169 pieces.

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A proposal creates conditions and requirements during a state peace for both the fulfillment of tasks connected with ensuring defence and security of Slovakia and fulfillment of the obligation accompanying membership in the EU, NATO and other international contracts.

According to PM Robert Fico, Slovakia should be part of the defence initiative of Europe, and the Defence Ministry should find European solutions when making decisions about buying new army technology.

“The first field where we would be expected to behave in a European way is in the field of the army,” said Fico as quoted by the TASR newswire.

11. Aug 2017 at 5:25 | TASR, Compiled by Spectator staff