As part of the Slovak Shield 2025 exercise, the Slovak Armed Forces conducted mobilization drills to deploy a mechanized battalion.
The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic reported the activities, which were designed to test the army’s ability to mobilize in response to various scenarios, including combat operations and other emergencies.
Civilians were called up and mobilized into the 13th Mechanized Battalion, allowing for a practical test of the unit’s readiness, as well as that of other institutions involved in civilian mobilization.
According to the Ministry of Defenсe, all branches of the Slovak Armed Forces took part in the Slovak Shield 2025 exercises, including ground and air force’s units.
Martin Martis, editor-in-chief of the Slovak military outlet Future Army, told Militarny that the Slovak Shield 2025 exercise, which had concluded on Friday, June 20, had focused on mobilization rather than combat maneuvers.
“These were not traditional exercises with cannon fire. It was more of an administrative process,” Martis said. “There were troop movements and equipment transport across Slovakia. The public knows little about the results, as that information is classified.”
In late May, observers noted that the Slovak Armed Forces had fitted their T-72M1 and Leopard 2A4 tanks with makeshift anti-drone protection cages, also known as ‘mangals.’
