Slovenian Army chief sacked after NATO test failure
Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar has given the Chief of the Army Staff his marching orders after one of its key brigades failed a NATO combat readiness test, after years of defence spending cuts.
Miro Cerar said: ‘Since the Chief of Staff has ultimate responsibility for the army's readiness, work and operational use of all units, the government has dismissed General Andrej Osterman.’
Cerar said he had given Defence Minister Andreja Katic a month to undertake the necessary measures to grant full combat readiness of the 72nd brigade.
After coming close to needing a bailout following the global financial crisis, Slovenia slashed defence spending by a third between 2010 and 2017 to one percent of economic output.
According to Katic, this will rise to 1.14 percent by 2024, still shy of the target set by NATO allies in 2014 of raising defence spending to two percent over a decade.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
