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Slovenian Ground Force

Component of Slovenian Armed Forces From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Slovenian Ground Force is the primary component of Slovenian Armed Forces.

Active1991–1993 (as the Slovene Territorial Defense Forces), 1993–present
CountrySlovenia
TypeGround army
RoleDefending Slovene territory
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Slovenian Ground Forces
Slovenska vojska
Emblem of the Slovenian army
Active1991–1993 (as the Slovene Territorial Defense Forces), 1993–present
CountrySlovenia
TypeGround army
RoleDefending Slovene territory
Part ofSlovenian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQVojkova cesta 55, 1000 Ljubljana
Equipment56 MBTs, 380 IFVs and APCs, 240+ Artillery pieces
Engagements
Commanders
Commander in ChiefNataša Pirc Musar
Minister of DefenseBorut Sajovič
Chief of the General StaffBoštjan Močnik
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History

The current Slovenian Armed Forces are descended from the Territorial Defense of the Republic of Slovenia (Teritorialna Obramba Republike Slovenije; TORS), which was formed in 1968 as a paramilitary complement to the regular army of the former Yugoslav within the territory of Slovenia. The main objectives of TORS were to support the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and conduct guerrilla operations in the event of an invasion.[citation needed]

When Slovenia declared independence at the onset of the Yugoslav Wars in 1991, the TORS and the Slovenian police comprised the majority of forces engaging the JNA during the Ten-Day War. The Slovenian Armed Forces were formally established in 1993 as a reorganization of the TORS.[citation needed]

Current equipment

Personnel equipment

More information Equipment, Image ...
Equipment Image Country Type Number Notes
Uniforms
Uniforms  Slovenia Uniform Unknown From left to right. Slocam standard uniform. Fireproof uniform used by special forces and vehicle crews made from graphene. Slocam winter camo. All are produced by Slovenian company UF PRO.[2]
M91 Oakleaf  Yugoslavia
 Slovenia		 Uniform Unknown The pattern is based on the Yugoslav M87 pattern. Used by reserve forces.[2]
M91 Desert  Yugoslavia
 Slovenia		 Uniform Unknown Modified M91 Camoflauge for desert.[2]
Helmets
Šestan-Busch BK-ACH-MC  Croatia
 Slovenia		 Helmet 5200+ At least 5200+ bought. To be in use by 2025.[3]
ACH MICH H10  United States Helmet Unknown To be fully replaced by 2025. In use by reserve forces.[4]
Future Assault Shell Technology helmet  United States Helmet Unknown Used by special forces and JTAC units.[4]
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Small arms

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Model Image Origin Type Caliber or cartridge Details
Handguns
Beretta 92FS ItalySemi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumStandard handgun of the Slovenian Army.[5]
Pistol Rex Zero-1 S FDE SloveniaSemi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumUsed by Slovenian Special Forces.[6] Future standard handgun, 10000 on order.[citation needed]
SIG Sauer P226 SwitzerlandSemi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumUsed by officers and special forces.[7]
Submachine guns
Heckler & Koch MP5 GermanySubmachine gun9×19mm ParabellumUsed by Slovenian Military Police and special units.[8]
Shotguns
Benelli M4 ItalyShotgun12 gaugeSemi-automatic shotgun.[citation needed]
Carbines
M59 PAP YugoslaviaCarbine7.62×39mmUsed by Slovenian Ceremonial Honor Guard.[citation needed]
Assault rifles and battle rifles
FN F2000S  Belgium Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO In June 2006, a contract was signed for 6,500 F2000 rifles as the new standard service rifle along with the 40 mm GL1 grenade launcher.[9][10] The Slovenian Army ultimately purchased 14,000 rifles.[11] In 2023-25, it was decided to adopt a new standard assault rifle, the FN SCAR.[12] The F2000S is expected to go into reserve use.
Zastava M70 YugoslaviaAssault rifle7.62×39mmUsed by reserve soldiers.[13]
FN SCAR  Belgium Battle rifle

Assault rifle

 5.56×45mm NATO

7.62×51mm NATO

 Future standard service rifle. SCAR H and L variants are used by Slovenian Special Forces (ESD).[12] Already used by the 10th Reconnaissance Battalion. The first new rifles arrived in 2025.[14][15]
Machine guns
FN Minimi Para BelgiumLight machine gun5.56×45mm NATOStandard issue light machine gun.[16]
FN MAG BelgiumGeneral-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATOStandard issue medium machine gun.[17]
M2HB BelgiumHeavy machine gun12.7×99mm NATOM2HB QCB variant manufactured by FN Herstal.[18]
Sniper rifles
Steyr SSG 69 AustriaBolt action sniper rifle7.62×51mm NATOBolt-action sniper rifle.[8]
Sako TRG FinlandBolt action sniper rifle7.62×51mm NATOBolt-action sniper rifle.[8]
PGM Ultima Ratio FranceBolt action sniper rifle7.62×51mm NATOSniper rifle.[19]
PGM Mini Hecate FranceBolt action sniper rifle.338 Lapua MagnumMedium sniper rifle.[20]
PGM Hécate II FranceBolt action sniper rifle12.7×99mm NATOHeavy sniper rifle.[21]
Grenade launchers
Heckler & Koch GMG GermanyAutomatic grenade launcher40x53mm HV[22]
Milkor MGL South Africa South Africa Revolver grenade launcher 40×46mm LV
GL1 BelgiumGrenade launcher40×46 mm LV[23]
Explosives
ARGES SPLHGR 85  Austria Fragmentation grenade Filled with steel fragments, used in an open battlefields and for clearing enclosed spaces like trenches and bunkers.
ARGES OFFHGR 85|  Austria Fragmentation grenade Filled with plastic fragments, used to disable and shock the enemy.
Anti-tank weapons
Spike LR2  Israel Anti-tank guided missile 130 mm Ordered in September 2022 from Eurospike for €6.67 million[24] (range 5.5 km). These will equip the L-ATV on the remote controlled weapon station Protector RS4.
Spike LR IsraelAnti-tank guided missile170 mm[25]
RGW 90 GermanyDisposable recoilless gun90 mm
Carl Gustav M4 SwedenReusable recoillesss rifle84 mmRecoilless anti tank weapon which will replace the RGW 90. Bought with different types of ammunition from high explosive anti tank to dual purpose.[citation needed]
MANPADSs
Igla-S RussiaMan-portable air-defense system72 mm[26]
Strelets  Russia Short range air defense 72 mm Mounted on Puch G vehicles with 9S846 mount.[27]
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Artillery and Air-Defence

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Model Image Origin Type Caliber Number Notes
Soltam M71 (M839)

TN90

  Israel Towed howitzer 155 mm L/39 18 [28][29]
Soltam K6

MN 9

  Israel Heavy mortar 120 mm 50 [30][29]
2S1 Gvozdika  Soviet Union Self-propelled howitzer 122 mm 9 8x in reserve, 1 in Pivka military museum
CAESAR  France Self-propelled howitzer 155 mm (12 on order) Plans for another 6 later on.[31][32]
M69  Yugoslavia Mortar 82 mm Unknown Used by reserve forces
M57  Yugoslavia Mortar 60 mm Unknown Used by reserve forces
Roland II  Germany SAM system 89 mm 4 2 units reportedly still in use with Cerklje ob Krki Airport air defense, rest stored with missiles demolished (sent for destruction in Croatia in November 2016).[33] 1 in Pivka military museum. 1 in Maribor barracks.[27]
IRIS-T SLM  Germany SAM system 127 mm (3 units on order) One unit consists of a radar, a tactical operations center, and four missile launchers.[34]

Contract for 1 fire unit signed in December 2023.[35][36] In early 2025, it was decided to order two more units. The first fire unit is expected to be delivered in 2027, and the second and third in 2028.[37]

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Combat vehicles

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Model Image Origin Type Number Notes
Tanks
M-84A4 Sniper  Yugoslavia
 Croatia
 Slovenia		 Main battle tank 54 13-20 in active use. 34–41 in reserve status. All were upgraded to M-84A4 Sniper standard by 2008.[38][39]
Armoured personnel carriers
SKOV Svarun
Variant of Patria AMV
 Finland
 Slovenia		 Armoured personnel carrier 30

(+106 Patria AMVXP on order)

 30 vehicles delivered according to a Settlement Agreement with Patria.[40][38][41] 20 equipped with Protector RCWS.

After a competition between 4 offers for vehicles (and after deciding not to buy the Boxer), on 11 July 2024 the Patria offer was chosen.[42][43][44][45] The vehicles will be used to create a medium battalion battle group and later a scout battalion.[46]

Patria Mangart 30 RCT  Finland
 Slovenia		 Infantry fighting vehicle Unveiled at Slovenian military day 24.5.2025. Exact number to be purchased is unknown. Equipped with a 30mm Mangart RCT turret and 4 loitering munition drones[47]
Patria Mangart 25 RCT  Finland
 Slovenia		 Multi-Role Armored Combat Vehicle 12 12 Patria AMV modified into Patria Mangart 25 RCT (Remote Controlled Turret) by installing a 25mm autocannon turret developed in Slovenia.[48]
Valuk
Variant of Pandur I
 Austria
 Slovenia		 Multi-role armoured fighting vehicle 65 65 vehicles in service. 19 of them in the 20th Infantry Regiment.[49][38][50]
Variants:

20 were donated to Ukraine in 2023.

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Other vehicles

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Model Image Origin Type Number Notes
Reconnaissance vehicles
Otokar Cobra  Turkey Reconnaissance vehicle 10 Nuclear, biological, chemical reconnaissance vehicle.[38][51]
Light multi-role vehicle
Oshkosh L-ATV

 United States Light multi-role vehicle 75 (+86 on order for a total of 161) Variant: M1278 Heavy Guns Carrier
  • Batch 1: 24 Ordered in 2018, delivered in May 2021.[52]
  • Batch 2: 14 Complementary order in February 2020 for 14 additional although not disclosed.[53]
  • Batch 3: 37 Ordered in September 2021. By 2023, 75 delivered.[54]
  • Batch 4: 39 Donated by the US in a Ringtausch agreement for the Slovenian equipment donated to Ukraine.[54]
  • Batch 5: 47 Ordered in December 2022[53]

86 vehicles remaining on order. Deliveries to take place in 2024 and 2025. Will be armed with RCWS Protector RS4 (Kongsberg M153 CROWS) which is equipped with a M2 machine gun and capable to shoot the Spike LR and Spike LR2 which are in service in the Slovenian Army.[55][56][57][58]

Some modified into Oshkosh MANGART 25 by installing a Slovenian-made 25mm cannon turret.

Oshkosh MANGART 25  United States
 Slovenia		 Light multi-role vehicle Unknown Upgraded Oshkosh L-ATV with a Mangart 25mm autocannon turret installed. Turret developed by Slovenian company Valhalla.

They will be used for defense against low-flying drones.

Humvee  United States
 Slovenia		 Light multi-role vehicle 30 M1114 and M1152 variants. 8 Humvees M1152 have been upgraded with a Spike LR system developed by Slovenia. Will be gradually replaced by Oshkosh L-ATV.[citation needed] 20 units sent to Ukraine.[59]
Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles
Cougar JERRV  United States Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle 7 Used by EOD units.[60][61]
Military light utility vehicles
Steyr Daimler Puch G 230 GE  Austria Military light utility vehicle [62][50]
Iveco  Italy Military light utility vehicle 16 [63]
Achleitner MMV Survivor  Japan Military light utility vehicle caa 400 A modified Toyota Land Cruiser for military missions.[64]
MRZR  United States Military light utility vehicle Unknown [65]
STRiX eMotors  Slovenia Motorcycle 6 Electric hard enduro motorcycle used by special forces. Up to 200 to be produced in 2024.[66]
Military trucks
RMMV HX2 8×8  Germany Transport and water trucks 40 (+28 on order)[67] In exchange for sending 28 Slovenian M55S tanks (upgraded T-55 tanks) to Ukraine, Germany handed over 40 MAN HX 8×8 RMMV trucks to Slovenia in December 2022.[68] 28 ordered in 2025.[67]

5 modules with 10,000-liter tanks for drinking water.[69]

MAN 15 TMILGL W A1  Austria
 Germany		 Military truck The vehicle is intended for transport of material and technical assets (MTS), mainly ammunition and mines.[70]
Mercedes-Benz Actros  Germany Military truck The vehicle is intended for transport of material and technical means (MTS) and personnel.[71]
Iveco T-series  Italy Military truck The vehicle is intended for transport of material and technical means (MTS) and personnel.[72][73][74][75]
Unimog  West Germany
 Germany		 Military truck 30 The vehicle is intended for transport of material and technical means (MTS) and special vehicle with superstructure. The vehicle is equipped with a roof lining, which allows infantry weapons to be installed.[76]
IvecoEvrocargo ML 140 E 24 WR 4x4  Italy Military truck 80 The vehicle is intended for the transport of material and technical resources (MTS) and people (three people in the driver's cabin and 14 on the platform).[4]
TAM 150 T11 B/BV  Yugoslavia Military truck The vehicle is intended for transport of material and technical means (MTS), also used as water/fuel tank vehicle, as decontamination vehicle and special vehicle with superstructure.[77]
TAM 110 T7 B/BV  Yugoslavia Military truck Mainly used for towing mortars.[78]
Armoured recovery vehicles
JVBT-55  Czechoslovakia Armoured recovery vehicle 7 [79]
VT-55  Czechoslovakia Armoured recovery vehicle 2 [38]
Armoured vehicle-launched bridges
MT-55  Czechoslovakia Armoured vehicle-launched bridge 4 [80]
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Radars

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Equipment Image Country Type Number Notes
Giraffe 1X  Sweden Fire-control radar Unknown [4]
ISKRA MTOC  Slovenia Tactical operations center Unknown [4]
CUOR  Slovenia Fire Management Center Unknown [4]
EL/M-2106  Israel Man-portable radar Unknown [4]
Ground Master 400  France Radar 2 [4]
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Potential future equipment

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Equipment Image Country Type Number Notes
Logistic vehicles
(illustration image)		  European Union Logistic vehicle Unknown The Government included in the defence development plan for the period from 2023 to 2026 the purchase of new trucks and light utility vehicles, to replace the old and worn-out ones. The project is estimated at €24 million.[81]
Mistral  France Short Range surface to air missile Unknown [31]
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Stored equipment

Retired equipment

Slovenian 9M111 Fagot anti-tank guided missile

References

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