Slovenia ordered 12 CAESAR 6×6 SPHs in June 2025 to provide long-range fires. (Nexter)
Sloveniaʼs modernisation and expansion of its armoured and mechanised forces were presented at Defence iQʼs International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2026 conference held in Farnborough from 20 to 22 January under the Chatham House rule. The effort supports NATO 2030+ readiness and deterrence, with defence priorities and modernisation of the countryʼs medium battalion battlegroup and medium combat reconnaissance battalion.
This will consist of an 8×8 mechanised capability, digital command-and-control (C2), and precision fires, aligned with NATO capability targets and Standardization Agreement (STANAG) requirements. Sloveniaʼs current fleet consists of Valuk (Pandur) 6×6 armoured vehicles, Patria 8×8 Armoured Modular Vehicles (AMVs), and Joint Tactical Liaison Vehicles (JLTVs) with limited firepower and digital integration.
Slovenia ordered 12 CAESAR 6×6 wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in June 2025 and plans to procure at least 106 8×8 armoured vehicles after its 22 March parliamentary elections. It also has a requirement for counter-unmanned aircraft systems.
Ljubliana envisages a modern mechanised force with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled C2: manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), integration of unmanned aircraft and ground systems, electronic warfare, long-range fires, and digital C2 for dispersed operations.
A political decision, contracts, and pilot trials are planned for 2026–27, with deliveries, training, and an initial operational capability in 2027–29. The mechanised battalion is planned to become operational in 2030, with battlegroup readiness with AI-enabled C2 in 2030–32.
Risks against achieving a NATO-interoperable mechanised capability by 2032 include budgetary constraints, industry delivery times, and cyber security and system integration, to be mitigated by phased acquisition, an open architecture, and AI governance.
Ljubliana expects such a mechanised capability to support combined arms and multidomain operations, enhancing regional deterrence and NATO responsiveness.
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