Slovak Shield 2017

A demonstration of an attack by a mechanised unit in a built-up area formed part of the final day of the Slovak Shield 2017 national exercise at the military training facility at Lest on Thursday. As many as 1,287 Slovak soldiers, 23 members of the Indiana National Guard from the USA and several members of the Czech army, as well as some 370 pieces of equipment took part in the exercise overs several days. The Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces Milan Maxim stated that this year's Slovak Shield primarily focused on a military threat to the state and the preparation of commanders and staffs. The exercise is aimed at successfully concluding the long-term process of building a mechanised brigade and identifying potential problem areas. The series of Slovak Shield exercises was set up in 2015 in response to the changing security environment. Every year, it involves several follow-up training activities within which units of the armed forces prepare to carry out assigned tasks.