After a meeting in Brussels, Slovenian Defence Minister Valentin Hajdinjak said the country is finishing its review of eight-wheeled armored vehicles available on the market. He expects a decision on the way forward by the end of this year, allowing work on a final decision and purchase contract to start next year.
Hajdinjak did not say which vehicle Slovenia would buy to meet its NATO capability targets. He again regretted that the previous government cancelled a Boxer eight-wheeler purchase contract at the start of its term in 2022. He called that agreement good and said Slovenia still has no such vehicles. Prices have since nearly doubled and delivery times have lengthened, he said.
EU defence ministers in Brussels also discussed strengthening member states’ capabilities and the SAFE financing mechanism, which made up to €150 billion in loans available for joint military procurement. Nineteen countries took part in the first round. According to the European Commission, €10 billion to €20 billion is expected to remain, with a new call planned by year-end. Slovenia has not decided whether to apply; the previous government of Robert Golob did not join the first round.
Ministers also discussed continued military support for Ukraine. Hajdinjak briefed them on his recent visit to Kyiv and said he had delivered a letter expressing Slovenia’s interest in the Drone Deal initiative, intended to connect interested Slovenian defence companies with Ukrainian partners and strengthen both countries’ air-defence and counter-drone capabilities. The sides plan to draft a joint statement within a month and expect to sign it in spring or the first half of next year, likely during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Slovenia.