Defence profile

Slovakia

Slovakia has been a NATO member since 29 March 2004 and an EU member since 1 May 2004 (Schengen since 21 December 2007). NATO estimates its defence spending rising from 0.98% of GDP in 2014 to 2.03% in 2025 and 2.02% in 2026, with military personnel of about 14,100. The 2026 budget allocates about €2.88 billion to defence, or 2% of GDP.

Incidents: 1

Slovakia

Overview

The MiG-29s were retired in 2022 and handed over to Ukraine; the last of 14 F-16 Block 70s was handed over in April 2026, and on 9 September 2026 the government approved four more two-seat F-16s for about €390 million. The first of six Barak MX air defence batteries arrived in April 2026, and the first of 152 CV90 MkIV fighting vehicles, ordered in December 2022, are expected by the end of 2026. The Minister of Defence is Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliňák; the Chief of the General Staff is Lt Gen. Miroslav Lorinc (since 7 May 2026).

Key facts

NATO membership: 29 March 2004
EU membership: 1 May 2004 (Schengen: 21 December 2007)
Minister of Defence: Robert Kaliňák (Deputy PM, since 25 October 2023)
Chief of the General Staff: Lt Gen. Miroslav Lorinc (since 7 May 2026)
Defence budget 2026: ≈ €2.88 billion (2% of GDP)
F-16 Block 70: 14 delivered (the last in April 2026); 4 more two-seaters approved on 9 September 2026
CV90 MkIV: 152 ordered (12 December 2022); first deliveries expected by the end of 2026
Barak MX: 6 batteries for ≈ €560 million; the first arrived in April 2026