Multinational Battle Group

	NATO Multinational Battle Groups (MN BG) in countries their dislocations form the so-called advanced presence. They were  created for the purpose of intimidation and defense against the possible armed attack on one of the NATO's member state on Eastern border of Alliance. Allied troops on the territory of the state in which the battle group was formed must demonstrate the commitment of NATO collective defense according to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. This Article 5 says, that attack on one of the allies will be considered an attack on the whole Alliance. Battlegroups are combination of several combat units types (infantry, artillery, anti-aircraft defense etc...) according to the needs of host country.

On the March 15 The National Council of Slovak republic approved presence of foreign armed forces of NATO countries on the territory of the Slovak republic by Resolution No. 1294. The Resolution No. 1408 of May 4 increased number of troops for the countries currently present in the Slovak republic up to 2900 troops. Currently operates in our territory more than 1,000 NATO soldiers under Czech command. NATO Battlegroup Slovakia is complete
since June 27, 2022. Numbers of allied troops in Slovak republic can change also after this term in accordance with standing mandate. Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia consist of soldiers of Germany, Czechia, USA and Slovenia. Selected soldiers of Armed forces of Slovak republic are also part of Battle Group and they train with Allied soldiers already.

The Allied troops brought mainly wheeled equipment and containers with them. The initial investment for the year 2022 by the Slovak Republic associated with the operation of the MN BG SVK is primarily related to the construction of a container town and a tent camp for these soldiers worth ~31 million €. These new built premises will be later used to needs of Armed Forces of Slovak republic. In addition, it will ensure the implementation of additional requirements of the allies in the form of "Support by the host country" The related financial costs will be borne by the Allies according to the relevant Technical Agreement.

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Benefits of creating MN BG Slovakia for Slovak republic

• Completion of missing skills - Battlegroups are created "tailor-made" according to the needs of the host country. In case of Slovakia main components of battlegroup are ground forces in the form of armed combat vehicles. Provided armed combat vehicles (BOXER, PANDUR II, VALUK) will  partly cover needs of Slovak Armed Forces, until new combat vehicles arrived (76pcs, of wheeled armed combat vehicles from Finland and 152pcs. of tracked armored vehicles CV90 from Sweden).Except combat vehicles Allies brought support wheeled technique like automobiles, vans, trailers which helps to fulfill their mission in Slovakia.
• Development of Slovak Armed Forces and Security and Rescue forces of Slovak republic - The construction of a container town in the context of the arrival of NATO troops also means an investment in the development of training of Slovak Armed Forces and other Security and Rescue forces. They will be able to perform joint exercises in larger numbers and thereby prepare themselves better and better for the performance of the service.
• Increasing interoperability and strengthening relationships - In addition to the possibility to increase the scope of exercises at the national level, the expansion of the infrastructure also presents an opportunity for international exercises. A larger number of accommodation capacities will enable more extensive exercises to be carried out with foreign partners as a contribution to increasing interoperability and professionalism of Slovak Armed Forces. Last but not least, the operation of allied troops in Slovakia creates space for strengthening mutual relations between the participating countries. This is facilitated by daily activities, exercises, exchange of experiences, familiarization with allied military equipment, and meetings at the political level.

Source: Analytický útvar MO SR