NATO has proposed that Slovenia should reassess the appropriateness of its Pilatus planes and patrol boat, capabilities that are not directly associated with the increase in the alliances capabilities, Defence Minister Karl Erjavec said on the margins of meeting of NATO defence ministers on Thursday.
Commenting on a recommendation included in NATO's biennial assessment of member states' defence capabilities, Erjavec said "NATO is of the opinion that all resources should be used for key capabilities for the alliance." However, Slovenia does not intend to comply for now.
"We have a patrol boat as a maritime country...We are also planning on buying another one. This is the only way we can ensure the carrying out of those operations that Slovenia has to as a maritime country," the minister said, adding that NATO understood that in talks that have been held.
According to Erjavec, Slovenia's defence plans have overall been assessed as "appropriate, realistic and feasible". Progress in ensuring troop mobility and combat support has also been assessed as positive.
The army is not completely ready to take part in the most demanding NATO operations, but Erjavec said that a battalion will reach the highest level of deployability at the end of 2006.
Slovenia must work towards the NATO objective of having 40% of its infantry mobile by 2010 and at least 8% in constant rotation in international operations. According to available data, the figures are currently at 10% and 4%, respectively.
Erjavec noted that the evaluation once again deals with the share of GDP Slovenia earmarks for defence. "We explained that we will gradually increase the share to achieve 2% by 2008, which is enough for the implementation of the objectives set out in our plans," he said.
According to current data, Slovenia spent 1.6% of GDP for defence last year, with the share to rise to 1.81% by 2007.
"After the supplementary budget, the share (for 2005) is 0.04 percentage points lower, but this will not affect the military capabilities," Erjavec said, stressing that NATO understands the situation.
The defence ministers today also confirmed the alliance's plan to offer logistics support to the African Union-led operation in Darfur. "Slovenia has offered five instructors and may offer material resources," Erjavec said.
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