Government adopted the defense industry development strategy
Ljubljana – The government adopted the strategy for the development of the defense industry and technological base of the Republic of Slovenia on Wednesday. The purpose of the first such strategy is to promote and strengthen the Slovenian defense industry and its integration into the broader EU environment, contributing to the strengthening of the European defense technological and industrial base, the Ministry of Defense explained.
As stated by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense Marko Lovše at a press conference after the government session, the strategy is based on the resolution on the general long-term program for the development and equipping of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SV) until 2040, which determined that Slovenia will achieve some capabilities of the SV also based on the development and production within the Slovenian defense industry.
In addition, it anticipates strengthening the defense, development, research, industrial, and technological base to increase defense technological self-sufficiency. The Strategic Council for Defense, Technological and Industrial Base, and Resilience will first review the potential pool of Slovenian companies and collaboration opportunities, after which a special company for investing in projects and companies to support research and development in the defense industry will be established within the Slovenian Sovereign Holding.
EU member states are increasing budget expenditures for defense and security in light of increasingly uncertain global conditions and strengthening production capacities in this area. Slovenia is among the EU member states that will be able to deviate from EU budget rules for the purpose of increasing investments in defense. Whether Slovenia will take advantage of this opportunity is not yet definitively known. (July 23)
