News
As of 1 July, the Slovenian Armed Forces provide forces for the European Union Battle Group
On Friday, 22 June, a military ceremony took place at the Celje Military Post marking the formation of Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) members who, as of 1 July, are in a six-month state of readiness within the European Union Battle Group (EUBG). In addition to one company of the 20th Motorised Battalion, enhanced by combat support and logistic elements, and the 1st Brigade HQ, Military Police and other SAF units, the EUBG also includes members of Italian and Hungarian armed forces.
The Slovenian Battle Group Contingent is under the command of Colonel Franc Koračin who also acts as Deputy to Battle Group Commander, Italian General Giovanni Manioni. The gathered troops were addressed by Commander, 1st Brigade Brigadier General David Humar, who underlined his belief in the readiness of all members of the Slovenian part of the Battle Group. They proved their readiness in a several-day exercise EU Wind which took place in May in Italian training ranges near Gemona, north-eastern Italy. EU Battle Groups are multinational battalion-sized joint units enhanced by combat support and logistic elements, ready for quick intervention in a crisis area located 6,000 km outside Brussels. Battle groups are ready for movement within 15 days and self-sustainable between 30 and 120 days. They are led by the EU under the auspices of the UNO. The battle groups’ mission is to prevent conflicts, use force to separate belligerents, evacuate people from the threatened areas, including forceless evacuations, and assistance in the execution of humanitarian operations.




