3Michaela FARKAŠOVÁChief of EditionDear Readers,We have prepared the latest issue of the Slovak Armed Forces magazine withmore striking graphics and dynamic pictures. Our ambition is to bring you the mostrelevant, accurate, important and interesting information on the SVK Armed Forcesand the Ministry of Defence. This double issue is exceptional – it maps out the majorevents in Defence throughout 2010.Two important appointments were made in mid-2010. Firstly, the new DefenceMinister, Ľubomír Galko, took office. His vision for the future Armed Forces is presentedin an open interview. Secondly, Róbert Ondrejcsák assumed the postof MOD State Secretary. In this issue, he expresses his ideas on the Strategic DefenceReview and outlines the MOD-wide reform.With the number of Service personnel decreasing, a challenging year is awaitingthe SVK Armed Forces. Defence Minister Ľubomír Galko pledges that “... even inthis situation, Slovakia is fully committed to its international obligations. ISAF inAfghanistan remains our priority. A significant milestone in this respect is theSlovak contingent ’s new mandate in Afghanistan. It is being executed also bythe SVK Special Forces in ISAF.”Enjoy this issue and good luck in 2011!editorialSLOVAK ARMED FORCES 2010New Defence Minister assumes officeContents// Report Lenka HAŠANOVÁ/ Photo Peter DOVINAInterview withnew Defence MinisterNATO MCmeetsin SLOVAKIAOur misionin ISAF2Slovakia’s newly elected Prime Minister Iveta Radičová introducedMr. Ľubomír Galko as the new Defence Minister during aninaugural ceremony at the Slovak MOD on 9 July 2010. Precededthe official swearing-in ceremony in the Presidential Palace, theMOD-held ceremony was attended by outgoing Defence MinisterJaroslav Baška, Slovak CHOD General Ľubomír Bulík, andother MOD and Armed Forces officials.In her opening speech at the MOD Club, Slovak Prime MinisterIveta Radičová extended her thanks to members of the SVKArmed Forces for their exemplary performance of duties and responsibilities,as well as for their commitment to disaster response,search and rescue, and anti-flood operations.In his inaugural speech, the new Head of Defence thankedthe Prime Minister for the trust bestowed on him. Viewing themission to manage the MOD as a great challenge, he said thathe is determined to take the job with the utmost seriousness andrespect. Among his top priorities is to use the available financialand human resources in the most effective way."Saving resources is absolutely necessary, yet it can only bedone within certain limits. It is not possible to save resources ina way that would threaten our commitments vis-à-vis the EuropeanUnion and NATO," said Galko.Mr. Róbert Ondrejcsák, former Executive Director of theCentre for European and North Atlantic Affairs, took up the postof MOD State Secretary, while Mr. Peter Plučinský was appointedHead of MOD Management Office, replacing Mr. Miroslav Sim.Page 4 - 5Magazine of the Ministry of Defence,Slovak Republic, since 2000Date of production start:December 2010Publisher:Media Communication Division,Ministry of Defence,Slovak RepublicEditor-in-Chief:Pavol VITKOPhone: +421 960 313 072, +421 903 820 847pavol.vitko@mod.gov.skChief of Edition:Michaela FARKAŠOVÁPhone: +421 960 312 806, +421 903 820 195michaela.farkasova@mod.gov.skExerciseJoint GoalPage 26 - 27Assistant Editors:Col. (Rtd) Jozef ŽIAKPhone: +421 960 338 352E-mail: jozef.ziak@mil.skPhoto Editor:Peter DOVINAPhone: +421 960 312 945Graphic Designers:Capt. Otakar HRABÁKLydia ŠEVČÍKOVÁIvana MIŠKOLCIOVÁPage 8 - 11Printed by:5th Carto-Reproduction Base NemšováEditorial Office Secretary:Milena SLEZAKOVÁPhone: +421 960 312 984Fax: +421 960 312 520E -mail: milena.slezakova@mod.gov.skEditorial Office Address:SLOVAK ARMED FORCESMedia Communication Division, MoDKutuzovova 8, 832 47 Bratislavae-mail: obrana@mod.gov.skwww.mosr.sk/slovak-armed-forcesFront Picture:Jozef ŽIAKPage 18 - 19Dukla ArmySport ClubPage 48 - 51© Ministry of Defence,Slovak Republic,Licence Number:2351/2000ISSN 1338-1571
: interview54/ Ľubomír GALKOSlovak Defence MinisterAn MOD with cleanand transparent relations/ Pavol VITKO/ Photo Peter DOVINAMr. Minister Galko, what are the most important challenges for the Slovak MOD inlight of the outcome of the NATO Lisbon Summit?Several reform initiatives were discussed at the Lisbon Summit. The most importantchallenges for Slovakia result from the adopted NATO Strategic Concept. This will be furtherdetailed before the end of March 2011 in the form of a NATO Political Directive, whichwill analyse the existing defence policy and planning challenges.Nevertheless, today it is possible to say that the main challenge for Slovakia is the continuoustransformation of our Armed Forces and the strengthening of their expeditionarycapabilities. Moreover, we need to develop civilian crisis management capabilities. Also, itwill be important to determine the way how we become involved in missile defence andhow we contribute to cyber defence and energy security.The review of NATO’s strategy in Afghanistan has pinpointed the need for a relativelyhigh number of instructors to train the Afghan Security Forces so that they are able to assumeresponsibility for security in the country by the end of 2014. We would like to contributeto this cause.Furthermore, we will take over responsibility for the Operational Mentor and LiaisonTeam (CSS OMLT) in Tarin Kowt in cooperation with our partners from Australia and theUnited States (Indiana National Guard). We will also dispatch our instructors from the 5thSpecial Forces Regiment to Afghanistan.Reforming NATO is an extremely challenging task, especially when it comes to the reformof NATO’s command structure and agencies. NATO countries want to save moneyspent on NATO commands, however, they only reluctantly admit that some NATO commandsand agencies should be abolished in their countries. Anyway, these changes will,indeed, affect the SVK Armed Forces staff posted to NATO HQs. Last but not least, weneed to consider our fair share of work on building NATO’s missile defence shield.The issue of social welfare has recently reverberated loud and clear among the Servicepersonnel. What can they expect?Active duty soldiers do not have to worry about losing their welfare benefits. The SlovakGovernment Manifesto provides guarantees for soldiers as well as policemen. It declaresthat any possible changes to the social welfare system will only apply to newly recruitedmilitary and police personnel. And we are determined to abide by this commitment.The wording "any possible changes" is used [in the Government Manifesto] intentionally.This is because a review of the social welfare system for policemen and soldiers hasbeen currently underway by an interdepartmental commission. It will be concluded in February2011 and presented to the government. Its outcomes and recommendations willdetermine whether or not we change the existing social welfare system.If there are any significant changes to be adopted, then they will not be implementeduntil 2012, the only exception being the military pension indexation system. This is no longerrelevant to active duty soldiers, as the current indexation system fails to work to thebenefit of the MOD and to motivate soldiers to serve in the military for a longer period.At the same time, it is not compatible with any other pension indexation system in Slovakia.That is why we’ve put forward a proposal to align it with the same indexation mechanismas has been in place in the Police Corps. I expect this change will take effect in thefirst half of 2011.A hot debate was recently provoked by the idea to stop ex-Service personnel fromclaiming two parallel incomes – military retirement pay and a civil service salary. Eventhough this issue is no longer “on the agenda“, what is your opinion on employing exsoldiersat the MOD?As regards employing ex-Service personnel, the MOD is very special for two reasons.Firstly, over the past few years we have seen military positions transformed into civilianones on a massive scale. However, if they had been staffed by civilians only, today thequality of work at the MOD would be degraded significantly. That is why there are also exsoldiersworking in the MOD’s civilian component. By the way, this is a common practicethat has been endorsed by all NATO countries.The other reason has a social dimension. Ex-Service personnel have dedicated thebest years of their lives to serving our country, and military retirement benefits compensatefor their active duty, as well as for all the restrictions that come with military service. Givingcivilian jobs in Defence to ex-soldiers is a way how to help them start a new career.Will there be any changes in the organisational structure of the MOD and the SVKArmed Forces in the forthcoming period?At this moment it is impossible to give a clear and definite answer. This autumn welaunched the Strategic Defence Review with a view to adopt systemic changes in Defence.The first outputs will be available in 2011. In the meantime, it would be premature togive any specific answer.Will the career system of the SVK Armed Forces retain its current form?The career system of the Armed Forces is governed by Act No. 346/2005 Coll. on theState Service of Professional Soldiers of the Slovak Armed Forces, as amended. The managementsystem of military personnel is also based on the provisions of this Act. We donot expect any significant changes to happen in the career system in the mid-term. It isimportant to bear in mind that the career of professional soldiers is primarily determinedby performance assessment reports. Therefore, every commander must be well aware ofhis responsibility for writing performance assessment reports for his subordinates.Is it possible to modernise the Armed Forces in spite of the current financial situation?Modernisation depends on the allocated financial resources. And they are really limited.Saving money will be another source of modernization. Significant savings willundoubtedly be made by promoting transparency in public procurement – no friendlycompanies, no orders without competitive bidding.Moreover, I’ve decided to publish even lower-value contract notices for constructionworks valued at less than 120,000 euros, which were not published by the MOD before.Although this measure is over and above the current legislative framework, it is fair forprospective bidders. For us, this means increasing efficiency, as this sort of competitionintensifies competitive pressure. Moreover, a contract worth less than 120,000 euros is, inmy opinion, not a small amount of money. We will be open and fair, wherever possible.We will also try to dispose of surplus movable and immovable property, which is notused or needed by the MOD, but costs a great deal of money to maintain. Given the currentfinancial situation, this is the only way for us to raise resources for modernisation. Ourmodernisation programmes will mainly concern the provision of armaments, equipmentand material that are essential to meeting our commitments towards NATO and the EU.What Slovak troop levels in missions and operations abroad do you expect to see in2011? What new challenges are awaiting our soldiers?The most important changes will affect ISAF and ALTHEA. Provided that the Slovak Parliamentapproves the submitted proposals, a total of 618 professional soldiers could bedeployed in international crisis management operations. Thus, the mandate for ISAFwould be 348 personnel.We intend to lift some national restrictions on the participation of the SVK Armed Forcesin Afghanistan. Slovak soldiers in ISAF will be reinforced by the 5th Special Forces Regimentand the EOD team. And we will increase our staff at ISAF commands. We will alsoexpand our National Support Element.Next year we would like to focus more on training the Afghan Security Forces. As I saidbefore, this effort aims to transfer responsibilities for the security in Afghanistan to the AfghanSecurity Forces.There will also be new tasks for our units in ALTHEA. On 17 December 2010, we willwithdraw our guard platoon from Camp Butmir II in Sarajevo. Instead, in 2011, we areplanning to send three liaison and observation teams with a total of 43 soldiers. They willensure cooperation with international organisations and NGOs, and monitor the securitysituation in their areas of operation.What is the future of military education, sports and culture?The answer to this question is not simple, especially when it comes to sports and culture.Sports have always been linked to the military profession. However, the question isto what extent should the MOD be involved in supporting top professional sports? Thereare some sport disciplines, such as shooting or biathlon, which are, indeed, very close tothe Army. However, we will probably not support commercially attractive sports in the future.Anyway, I am pleased to say that our sportsmen and women from the Dukla BanskáBystrica Army Sports Club represent very well not only the MOD but also the Slovak Republic.As for the military ensembles, there is a difference in the status of military garrisonbands and the Jánošík Military Folklore Ensemble. Military bands perform their tasks directlyfor the Armed Forces and the MOD. In this context, the importance of the Jánošíkensemble is, undoubtedly, much smaller. I do not question the value of promoting Slovakia’snational culture. But in times of a drastic financial diet, it is important to reconsiderfunding the ensemble from the MOD resources.As to military education, the General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Armed Forces Academy inLiptovský Mikuláš plays a role in the development of the SVK Armed Forces. In the near future,we intend to extend the study opportunities at the Academy by admitting even civilianstudents. Thanks to this, the Slovak Republic will acquire new experts in the field ofnational and international security. We want to stabilise the conditions at the Academy sothat it is attractive for both educated university professors and young prospective students– the future professional soldiers and civilian experts in the field of security and defence.SLOVAK ARMED FORCES 2010
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