Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. It has a population of over five million and an area of about 49,000 square kilometres (19,000 sq mi). The Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic number 14,095 uniformed personnel and 8,515 civilians. Ground Forces – are made up of two active mechanized infantry brigades. Pictured here: Slovak Army infantry soldiers during military exercise in Europe 2014.
Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout of a meeting between Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Slovakian Defense Minister Martin Glvac.
It read as follows:
“Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with the Slovakian Defense Minister Martin Glvac this morning at the Pentagon.
Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Glvac for their contributions to NATO and international security, particularly for Slovakia’s offer to donate ammunition to support the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and their continued contribution in Afghanistan to include the deployment of 66 personnel to support the Government of Afghanistan.
The two discussed investments in defense. Minister Glvac assured Secretary Hagel that Slovakia will fulfill the obligations to which they committed at the summit in Wales. Minister Glvac highlighted that Slovakia committed to spending 1.6 percent of GDP on defense by 2020 and by 2016, they plan to allocate 20 percent of the defense budget for modernization.
Secretary Hagel and Minister of Defense Glvac discussed deepening their strategic cooperation regarding Slovakia’s military modernization plans. Secretary Hagel endorsed Slovakia’s modernization efforts, pledged his support of Slovakia’s plan to modernize its helicopter fleet and urged Slovakia to consider U.S. origin helicopters to increase interoperability.
Finally, they discussed support to Ukraine, emphasizing that the U.S. and Slovakia continue to present a united front with NATO to deal with Russia’s aggressive behavior in the region. Secretary Hagel particularly welcomed the humanitarian and development aid, military training, and the reverse flow of gas Slovakia is providing to support Ukraine’s security.”
Source: Department of Defense
See related video: SLOVAK ARMY POWER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M118ol5ty8w and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_3eDNJDxmI