Final stage of Slovak Shield military exercise started at Lest Training Centre

The final stage of this year's Slovak Shield international military exercise has started at the Lest training centre (Banska Bystrica region), interim Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad and Brigadier-General Ivan Pach told TASR on Tuesday.
Nad said that 2,000 soldiers from seven countries are taking part in the biggest international military exercise to take place in Slovakia. In addition to Slovakia, these are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and the USA. The exercise provides an opportunity to train all participating commanders and staffs in decision-making, planning procedures and command, he said. This also includes the management of high-intensity joint operations in a multinational environment.
The defence minister noted that more than 420 pieces of large combat equipment are part of the exercise. According to him, the Slovak Shield's goal is to reveal the shortcomings of the Slovak army and its weaknesses. "However, the level will only increase with the arrival of the new equipment we have procured," stated Nad. He added that the cooperation between NATO and the European Union in the field of defence is of high quality. "I don't remember the cohesion being as strong as now in the past. I have no doubt that NATO would defend all of its members," stated Nad. However, Russia is still a threat, he said. "Like it or not, we have to be prepared for all scenarios, as we see that anything can come from the Kremlin," stated the defence minister. (TASR)