DEFENSE MINISTRY TO PURCHASE 3,000 AIR-TO-GROUND MISSILES

LJUBLJANA, AUGUST 19 /SRNA/ - The Defense Ministry is acquiring 3,000 air-to-ground missiles for the Slovenian Armed Forces' air force to provide direct fire support to both the army and the Alliance’s ground forces.

Pilots and joint fire controllers will also regularly use the missiles for training and exercises. The buyer expects the first 1,500 missiles to be delivered in 2028 and the remaining 1,500 a year later, the Defense Ministry said, according to RTV Slovenia. The financial plan of the Slovenian Armed Forces for 2028 and 2029 already includes funding for the purchase. The ammunition procurement project is also included in the development program plan, which is an integral part of the budget documents. The ministry did not disclose the value of the order, as the public procurement procedure is currently underway. The ministry explained that the purchase is not directly related to the country’s NATO commitment to increase defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product.