The Slovenian Armed Forces will soon start using hard enduro military electric motorcycles developed by the Slovenian company STRiX eMotors. They will be used mainly for special reconnaissance missions.

The motorcycle, which is a fully Slovenian product with the exception of a few components, was presented in Kočevska Reka, a restricted military zone, on 13 June.

Željko Kralj, the head of the Defence Ministry's Logistics Directorate, said that the government has been investing intensively in national development projects with the aim of helping Slovenian companies develop various products dual-use products.

STRiX eMotors was selected last year in a public call for applications to develop the hard enduro electric motorcycle adapted to the needs of the military.

Its director Sašo Emin said that that the motorcycle had a drivetrain system that enabled quiet operation and provided a good amount of torque. It can do 100 kilometres on a single charge.

Various kinds of weapons and ammunition can be mounted on the vehicle, while special IR lights provide good visibility at night.

The motorcycle can also be driven on snow, for which the company has developed special sleighs, and it can be used for civilian purposes, as it has been type-approved and can be registered.

The ministry has so far purchased six motorcycles and four sleighs, at a cost of €175,000. "Further deliveries will depend on the needs," Kralj said.

The motorcycles have been tested by members of the SAF special operations unit since February. "There are still some issues, but they are being resolved together with the company," said the unit's commander Matija Jazbec.

He added that the motorcycle was mostly useful for special operations, including special reconnaissance missions that require fast, quiet and covert movement towards the target.

The ministry plans to present the motorcycle, has already drawn interest from the Norwegian and Dutch armed forces, at the forthcoming Eurosatory international defence exhibition in Paris.