At the end of August, the Slovak Ministry of Defence announced a key piece of information in connection with the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces (SAF) Ground Forces. The Slovak Government approved the intention of the Ministry of Defence to acquire 1,307 trucks worth over EUR 708 million (almost CZK 18 billion) together with the Czech Republic. Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák is expected to submit the specific form of the agreement with the Czech side to the Slovak government for approval by the end of this year.

The problem of obsolete logistics, transport and security equipment within the Slovak Armed Forces has been well known for several years. The annual Comprehensive Defence Assessment of the Slovak Republic, published by the Ministry of Defence on its website, regularly draws attention to the gaps in this area. The first plan to improve the situation in the field of logistics and transport of military materials was presented by the Ministry of Defence in 2021.  The then-leadership of the ministry, headed by Jaroslav Naď, wanted to purchase up to 1,500 new trucks for the Slovak Armed Forces, but despite the fact that a market survey was conducted in the spring of that year, there was no significant progress in this direction. In 2023, former State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Marian Majer stated that despite the fact that the acquisition of new off-road trucks was one of the key projects for the ministry's leadership, it was unlikely to be completed before the early parliamentary elections in September 2023.

After these early elections, Robert Kaliňák became the new Minister of Defence, who repeatedly stressed the need to continue the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces and the replacement of obsolete military equipment. A few days ago, when the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic announced its intention to acquire new trucks together with the Czech Republic, Minister Robert Kaliňák stated that the average age of trucks in the Slovak Armed Forces is currently approximately 37 years. The Slovak Armed Forces fleet includes, for example, Praga V3S trucks or older Tatra models such as T-138, T-148, T-813, as well as URAL machines from the Warsaw Pact era.

The Czech Ministry of Defence informed Slovakia that it is considering the possibility of joining the Czech Republic in the purchase of trucks and logistics vehicles in the second half of July, when representatives of the Czech Ministry signed a framework agreement for the purchase of up to 872 Tatra trucks for the Czech Army. According to the Czech Ministry of Defence, 872 Tatra Force trucks in the T815-7 6x6 (truck roller) and T815-7 8x8 (truck roller and hook loader for containers) versions, worth up to CZK 13.35 billion, can be purchased by 2031, with the possibility of other alliance partners joining the project.

As already mentioned, Slovakia will take advantage of this opportunity. The Slovak government has approved the intention of the Ministry of Defence to enter into negotiations on the joint purchase of 1,307 trucks together with the Czech Republic. Specifically, the Slovak army is interested in 870 rollers in the 6x6 configuration and 437 hook loaders in the 8x8 configuration. The estimated price for this number of vehicles is estimated at over EUR 708 million (almost CZK 18 billion). If an agreement is reached by the end of 2024, deliveries of the first vehicles should take place as early as next year and last until 2031.

The joint acquisition of Tatra trucks and logistics vehicles has several advantages for Slovakia. Perhaps the most important is that Tatra trucks have high off-road capability, thanks to their unique chassis concept with a central support tube and swinging independently suspended semi-axles. This design has been the basis of Tatra vehicles for more than 100 years and the Slovak army is well acquainted with this design and has extensive experience with it. Another important aspect is that Tatra vehicles were manufactured in Slovakia in the past and today this tradition is continued by Tatra Defence Slovakia, which has the necessary know-how to manufacture the vehicles themselves and spare parts, repair, service and train the operators. This could lead to the creation of a robust and localised industrial base that could jointly participate in other defence projects of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Deepening cooperation within the defence industry also means increasing defence capability in terms of security of the supply and independence from foreign products. This advantage is particularly important today, as the defence industry is at the limits of its production capacity due to the unstable security situation in Europe. At the same time, the price factor must not be forgotten, as more equipment ordered will lead to a reduction in the purchase price.

Although there are no details yet as to the specific form of the agreement, the approval of the Ministry of Defence's intention by the Slovak government can be considered a step in the right direction. The logistics and transport capacities of the Slovak Armed Forces do not meet modern standards, and it is therefore good that Slovakia wants to join the joint purchase of off-road trucks with the Czech Republic.