“Based on previous poor evaluations, we could hardly have expected a passing grade.”

22. februar 2018 ob 7.27 • Ljubljana - MMC RTV SLO

Because of international missions and border patrol projects, the unit was not able to schedule regular training. Foto: Daniel Mlakar/Slovenska vojska

"We're not the first NATO member that has failed its combat readiness evaluations. And we're not the first member that will fix this in the months ahead -- or in the near future," said Simon Korez of the Slovenian Armed Forces General Staff.

Without more resources for personnel and equipment, the situation will remain difficult, said Simon Korez, the Slovenian Armed Forces' press representative. He said that the military is concerned about the failing grade, but he added that the results did not come as a surprise. He pointed out that over the past few years, the Commander in Chief Borut Pahor has already been given failing readiness evaluations. "Even then, the failing grade indicated that we had equipment difficulties, as well as staffing issues in recent years." The number of troops declined further over the past year.

When asked why the 800 soldiers of the 72nd Brigade had such poor readiness scores, even though the exercises evaluated by NATO were known beforehand, Korez explained that the full cycle of readiness preparations takes 18 months. Instead of training, that time was used to obtain military equipment, which is in a poor condition. Because of international missions and border patrol projects, the unit was not able to schedule regular training. The 72nd Brigade was not established until several months ago and was therefore insufficiently coordinated.

NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg told Radio Slovenia that Slovenia is getting closer to its defined goal, but he added that the process is too slow. NATO had previously declined to comment on the evaluations that described the 800 soldiers of the 72nd Armed Forces Brigade as "combat not ready" in four areas. Instead, NATO representatives said that the Slovenian authorities should be the ones explaining the failing grade. Even so, Radio Slovenia's reporter Luka Robida managed to interview General Secretary Stoltenberg in Brussels. Stoltenberg said that NATO sees Slovenia as being on the right track despite the failing score. He added that Slovenia's defense expenditure is increasing both in overall terms and in the percentage of the GDP, even though the level is still low. Stoltenberg expects NATO allies to fulfill their obligations, and while Slovenia has managed to stop the financial cuts and is now approaching its goals, the process is too slow.

NATO's evaluation team had described the battle group of the Slovenian Armed Forces' 72nd Brigade as "combat not ready" in four areas, and as "combat ready" in one area. Because it received a score of "not ready" in more than two areas, the entire group is considered "not ready" according to NATO's rules.