The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic did not start only after February 24, 2022; the war, however, accelerated the pace and deepened cooperation with partners. The goal has remained the same: to provide soldiers with modern, long-term sustainable equipment and align with the standards of allies. The key is to think not only about procurement, but about the entire ecosystem—from training to infrastructure.
The war accelerated, the course held
According to the Ministry of Defence, key projects would be moving forward even without the Russian invasion, as they had been planned for the long term. The conflict, however, increased allies’ willingness to cooperate and forced the arming effort to speed up and become more efficient. The practical outcome is broader engagement of partners from NATO and outside NATO, which boosts delivery assurance and security guarantees.
The selection is not about finding just a “maker of a piece of kit,” but a long-term partner with experience in operational use, training, and realistic deployment scenarios. For 8x8 wheeled and tracked vehicles, this means the latest generation, with decades of service in mind and shared lessons learned. That will strengthen interoperability—i.e., the ability to operate with the armed forces of Finland, Sweden, and other countries on the same wavelength.
Domestic industry and what it means for the public
Involving the Slovak defense industry is the second pillar of modernization. Domestic companies gain know-how from world-leading manufacturers and can participate in production for the army as well as in future commercial projects. The aim is for Slovakia to become a natural partner in manufacturing next-generation equipment.
The “guns versus education or healthcare” debate is political, but defense is an integral part of public priorities. The debt from the past cannot be made up in three or four years, but without security we cannot fully benefit from other investments either. Zero defense would not mean more comfort, but less certainty for people and the economy.
Lessons from procurement and what comes next
Purchasing equipment is not a one-off order: it requires infrastructure, prepared personnel, service, and local partners. The new Western equipment has brought new processes for Slovakia and suppliers that require learning and coordination. Traditional procurement is slow, but even fast-track solutions must be responsible and sustainable.
Legislation applies equally to everyone and, until it changes, it must be strictly followed; the space lies in meticulous preparation and efficient procedures within the rules. The priority is the modernization of a soldier’s basic armament, including the transition to NATO calibers, and strengthening air defense. Since almost all NATO countries are making massive purchases today, it holds that those who start later wait longer—making it all the more important to plan for interoperability today and reap its benefits in a five- to ten-year horizon.
