Defense News ,Slovenia :- This year is special for Slovenia because it has been 20 years since it joined NATO on March 29, 2004. Slovenia plays an important role in NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). This system helps protect Slovenian airspace, and it involves constant communication with NATO. The Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) in Slovenia keeps an eye on the airspace 24/7.
Ten years ago, on January 17, 2014, Slovenia made an agreement with Hungary. This agreement allows Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 Gripen fighters to help protect Slovenia's airspace.
The CRC Commander, Major Samo Mali, explains that since 2004, Slovenia has been part of NATO's airspace protection. The NATO system, NATINAMDS, includes Air Policing activities over Slovenia. The goal is to keep Allied airspace safe by having interceptor aircraft and crews ready to respond quickly to any airspace issues.
Protecting Slovenian airspace involves different tasks, like airspace surveillance and control, command and control, and Air Policing assets. The 16th CRC in Brnik, Slovenia, uses a modern air command and control system called MASE/MICE. In 2022, part of the CRC moved to a new operations room for better operations.
The CRC collects data from military and civilian radars about activities in Slovenian airspace. This information is shared with NATO in Spain. The Slovenian Armed Forces’ Operations Centre also plays a role in command and control nationally. Interceptor aircraft from Slovenia, Italy, and Hungary are always ready for Air Policing missions.
Since 2007, Italian Eurofighter F-2000 Typhoon interceptors have been protecting Slovenian airspace. In 2014, Hungary joined the effort with JAS-39 Gripen interceptors. All these efforts help Slovenia conduct high-quality training and maintain NATO standards.
Colonel Janez Gaube, Slovenia’s 15th Wing Commander, expressed gratitude for the support from NATO. Slovenian Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, under the command of the Slovenian Armed Forces, have also contributed to airspace protection since 2017. The CRC staff is well-trained and integrated into both Slovenian and NATO structures. Some members even work at NATO's CAOC Torrejón and Allied Air Command in Ramstein.
In conclusion, Slovenia is proud to be part of NATO, working together to ensure the safety of its airspace and contribute to the alliance's goals.
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