Defense

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Defense

Heir to a rich Slovenian military tradition, the modern Slovenian Army came into existence on 25 June 1991, with the declaration of independence of the Republic of Slovenia. The new army passed its baptism of fire in the following days, as the Yugoslav People's Army tried to oppose with force the right of the Slovenian nation to self-determination. In what came to be known as the Ten Days' War, the Slovenian Army soundly defeated its opponent, thus preserving Slovenia's independence.
Slovenian Armed Forces

In peacetime, the Slovenian Army consists of around 3,500 military professionals (officers, non-commissioned officers and professional soldiers) and 5,000 to 6,000 conscripts. In the event of complete mobilization, Slovenia can field an army of around 56,000 troops.
The Slovenian Army is made up of commands, units and agencies. The General Staff of the Slovenian Army is part of the Ministry of Defense and it oversees the activities of the three operational commands. The first operational command consists of the air force and air defense units. The other two operational commands comprise the seven military regional commands of Slovenia and independent brigades. Infantry units represent the backbone of the Slovenian Army, but conscripts are also trained in other branches of military service: armored units, artillery, air defense, signals, engineering, NBC protection, military police, coastal command, and logistics. Compulsory service lasts 7 months.
Purpose and Fundamental Mission
The basic purpose of the Slovenian Army is, firstly, to deter any threats against the sovereignty of Slovenia and, secondly, to defend the state. The fundamental mission of the Slovenian Army comprises the following elements:

training for the purposes of defense,
provision of adequate level of combat readiness,
defense in the event of an attack on the country,
participation in civil emergency operations in the event of natural and other disasters,
fulfillment of Slovenian military commitments to international organizations.

Structure
The Slovenian Army is composed of mobile and territorial units. Mobile units are the main units of the Slovenian Army. Their purpose is to conduct combat under any conditions and on the whole territory of the state. Mobile units consist of tactical and combined tactical and operational units. Territorial units are designed to provide military control of the territory, secure the state borders, safeguard facilities of special purpose, conduct interdiction and counterterrorist activities, provide mobility, produce intelligence, guard POW's and perform specific logistical support missions.
The Slovenian Army units are divided into "A" and "B" echelons. The "A" echelon is comprised of units containing elements which are active during peacetime, whereas the "B" echelon consists of units that are mobilized in wartime.
Command and Control
Command and control in the Slovenian Army is based on principles determined by the Slovenian Constitution and the Law on Defense.
The General Staff of the Slovenian Army is a constituent body of the Ministry of Defense. In accordance with military and political guidelines, the General Staff is charged with development, organization and management of measures for a successful conduct of the military defense. The implementation of the standards providing for cooperation and joint operations with NATO and other European security structures is one of the long-term development focuses of the Slovenian Army.
International Military Cooperation
In compliance with Partnership for Peace (PfP) principles and the initiatives of the North Atlantic Military Council (NAMC) and the Euroatlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), Slovenia has been enhancing the level of its military cooperation, particularly in the region.
In 1997 Slovenia joined neighboring Italy and Hungary in an initiative to establish a Multinational Light Land Force (MLF). Its main aim is to improve the interoperability level of the armed forces of the three countries by improving their mutual awareness and by taking responsibility for agreed operational procedures. The MLF will consist of a highly operational light infantry brigade at a rapid preparedness level, capable of an effective military reaction to new challenges to international peace and security. The MLF will be responsible for all of Europe, but will focus on Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, particularly in operational regions characterised by harsh terrain and unfavorable climate.
Premiere Slovenian Military Units

1st Brigade
Consisting exclusively of professional soldiers, this unit's training grounds are hidden in the dense forests of Kočevje in southeastern Slovenia. The wildcat, which abounds in the area, is also the official symbol of the unit. Its members are trained in unconventional warfare, direct action and other special operations missions. Formed in secrecy in 1990, the 1st Brigade took active part in the Ten Days' War for Slovenian independence in 1991. In the future, this all-professional unit will be used as the rapid reaction force of the Slovenian Army.

32nd Mountain Brigade
Heir to the long Slovenian military tradition in mountain warfare, this toughest regular infantry formation of the Slovenian Army is located deep in the Slovenian Alps at Bohinjska Bela. Its members are popularly known as "gamsi" (the chamois), because of their unit patch. Slovenia has made the Alpine Training Center of the 32nd Brigade available for NATO and PfP training exercises.

54th Armored Battalion
Located at Vrhnika, the gateway to the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, this premiere armored unit of the Slovenian Army is equipped with M-84 main battle tanks. The M-84 is a highly-successful Yugoslav development of the Soviet T-72 design, but with far greater fire control sophistication, thanks to the Slovenian Fotona fire control system. The 54th Battalion has been described as the "armored fist" of the Slovenian Army.

74th Armored Battalion
Based in Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, this armored unit operates the T-55S1 tanks. The T-55S1 is a modernized Slovenian version of the Soviet T-55 design, with additional armor, improved power drive, upgraded fire control system and a new 105mm Merkava cannon. Because of the horned insect in the unit patch, the members of the 74th Battalion are popularly known as "kleščmani" (loosely translated as "the nut-crackers").

Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the UN

		1st Brigade Consisting exclusively of professional soldiers, this unit's training grounds are hidden in the dense forests of Kočevje in southeastern Slovenia. The wildcat, which abounds in the area, is also the official symbol of the unit. Its members are trained in unconventional warfare, direct action and other special operations missions. Formed in secrecy in 1990, the 1st Brigade took active part in the Ten Days' War for Slovenian independence in 1991. In the future, this all-professional unit will be used as the rapid reaction force of the Slovenian Army.

		32nd Mountain Brigade Heir to the long Slovenian military tradition in mountain warfare, this toughest regular infantry formation of the Slovenian Army is located deep in the Slovenian Alps at Bohinjska Bela. Its members are popularly known as "gamsi" (the chamois), because of their unit patch. Slovenia has made the Alpine Training Center of the 32nd Brigade available for NATO and PfP training exercises.

		54th Armored Battalion Located at Vrhnika, the gateway to the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, this premiere armored unit of the Slovenian Army is equipped with M-84 main battle tanks. The M-84 is a highly-successful Yugoslav development of the Soviet T-72 design, but with far greater fire control sophistication, thanks to the Slovenian Fotona fire control system. The 54th Battalion has been described as the "armored fist" of the Slovenian Army.

		74th Armored Battalion Based in Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, this armored unit operates the T-55S1 tanks. The T-55S1 is a modernized Slovenian version of the Soviet T-55 design, with additional armor, improved power drive, upgraded fire control system and a new 105mm Merkava cannon. Because of the horned insect in the unit patch, the members of the 74th Battalion are popularly known as "kleščmani" (loosely translated as "the nut-crackers").