Military & Security
Slovenia
Military - note
The Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska or SV) hold the responsibility for safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territory, deterring outside threats, and contributing to European security as well as various international peacekeeping operations. Additionally, the SV engages in civil-military partnerships, including the upkeep of local infrastructure. Since 2004, Slovenia has been a member of both the EU and NATO, with a primary mission of fulfilling its obligations to NATO. This includes modernizing equipment, taking part in training exercises, and supporting NATO operations. The SV deploys troops to bolster NATO’s presence in the Baltic region (Latvia) and Eastern Europe (Slovakia). Furthermore, it has been involved in various international security missions, contributing small contingents to regions such as Africa, southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Air policing for Slovenia is provided by NATO allies Hungary and Italy.
The establishment of the SV took place in 1993, evolving from the Slovenia Defense Force. This Defense Force, alongside the Slovenian police, constituted the main forces that confronted the Yugoslav People’s Army during the 10-Day War following Slovenia's declaration of independence in 1991 (2025).
Military deployments
110 Kosovo (NATO); up to 200 Slovakia (NATO) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025
2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces
Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): organized as a combined force featuring air, land, maritime, and special operations units.
Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)
Military service age and obligation
The age requirement for voluntary military service is 18-30 years for both men and women; recruits may enter into service contracts of 3, 5, or 10 years; there is no conscription (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal includes a blend of Soviet/Cold War-era equipment and a limited number of more contemporary, primarily Western systems. Slovenia is currently undergoing a modernization initiative aimed at replacing its Soviet-era assets with NATO-compatible European and U.S. systems (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active military personnel count stands at around 6,000 (2025).