Ljubljana - The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) will conduct a number of exercises around the country and abroad between 12 September and 21 October as part of the Preskok 2022 series of exercises. A total of 2,000 Slovenian troops and 250 allied troops will take part. The exercises will start in Hungary.

The Preskok series consists of 18 exercises based on the same scenario and training grounds. The aim of the exercises is "to test military strategy in realistic training situations" and to demonstrate the SAF's determination and capability to operate in all modes envisaged by the military doctrine.

The emphasis will be on the defensive, the offensive, special operations, and information warfare.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nina Raduha, the exercises raise the readiness, competence and capability of all segments of the security system.

The autumn part of the exercises will start on 5 September with the Jackal Cave 2022 exercise, which will take place in Hungary and will involve the special operations unit. The exercise will test the capability according to the NATO special forces test methodology, said Lieutenant Colonel Miha Rijavec, commander of the special operations unit.

In mid-September, the Zvezda Triglava exercise will start in the Gorenjska region, focusing on the integration of mountain skills into mountain warfare of lower tactical units in cooperation with allies. Members of the US, British, Polish and Hungarian armies will join the exercise.

According to Captain Jernej Alič, commander of the 1st mountain company of the 132nd mountain regiment, this will be one of the largest mountain exercises in Europe and it will be physically quite demanding.

"Such terrain gives us the opportunity to get to know each other as commanders and members, to share knowledge from experience, which we can then perhaps transfer to our own operations," Alič said.

Another major exercise will be Svarunov Pogled, which will test the capabilities and competence of two companies form the 72nd brigade, one to be deployed on rotation to Slovakia and the other to be deployed to NATO's Rapid Reaction Initiative.

In October, the Ladja exercise will take place in the bay of Koper and the passenger terminal of port operator Luka Koper, while an exercise of the Balkan medical forces will take place at the Poček training grounds.

Raduha said the SAF would strive to minimise the effects of the exercises on the civilian environment, and keep local communities informed on a regular basis.