Defence Minister Karl Erjavec presented a new military doctrine to the members of the parliamentary defence committee on Friday, the most important military expert document in the country.
According to Erjavec, the document implements strategical NATO concepts and the principles of organisation stemming from the alliance's doctrines. It also supports the implementation of European concepts of security and defence policy, he added.
The doctrine states the organisation, deployment and responsibilities of the Slovenian Armed Forces in defending the country. Moreover, it sets out guidelines in fulfilling the force's calling in war and peace, Erjavec explained.
The document, based on the resolution of the national security strategy and the country's defence strategy, is designed for army commanders and will serve as a basis for guidelines, tactics, handbooks and other documents, he noted.
Erjavec and chief-of-staff of Slovenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Albin Gutman, have recently presented the doctrine to President Janez Drnovsek, who is the supreme commander of the army. According to Erjavec, Drnovsek praised the document as coherent.
The committee chair Anton Anderlic of the opposition Liberal Democracy (LDS) was critical of the fact that the cabinet adopted the doctrine already in July, while the committee members were not briefed on it until now.
The committee also endorsed at second reading the bill on carrying out the basic development programmes of the Slovenian Armed Forces for the 2008-2015 period.
The SIT 170bn (EUR 710m) bill, in opposition to its 1994 predecessor, abolishes loan-based financing of the armed forces, and sets forth that the necessary funds will be allocated from the budget and is expected to bring Slovenian military capabilities in line with NATO demands.
The army's most important projects in the period include 8x8 armoured personnel carriers, communication and electronic equipment, airplanes - including a transport aircraft - anti-armour and air defence rocket systems.
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