Slovenia and the United Kingdom explored ways to boost cooperation in the defence sector at an event in Ljubljana called the Slovenian-British Day of Defence Industry. That is seen as a must in light of the tense situation in Europe and the world.

The cooperation between Slovenia and Great Britain in the defence sector has to strengthen to further improve the security of both countries, as well as Europe, said Željko Kralj, head of the logistics directorate at the Defence Ministry.

"Slovenia has committed that it will strongly increase spending for defence in innovation, so that at least 20% of the defence budget is used for equipment and 2% for research, development and innovation," Kralj said, adding that Slovenia will spend €780 million for defence equipment by 2028.

The rapidly changing security situation requires advanced technology, expertise and a joint approach to solving threats, said Matej Skočir from the Industry, Entrepreneurship and Internationalisation Directorate at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport.

Slovenia has a growing defence industry, which is one of the driving forces of advanced technology development, Skočir said. Slovenian companies are leading in many fields and are very successful in participating in EU projects, he added.

John Mark Lancaster, member of the UK's upper chamber of parliament and a NATO Parliamentary Assembly member, noted the importance of cooperation between Great Britain and Slovenia for the joint European security. The countries are successfully cooperating in several missions around the world as part of NATO, so there are no hurdles for successful cooperation at a bilateral level, he said.

The Slovenian-British Day of Defence Industry on 21 May was organised by Spirit Slovenija in cooperation with the Economy Ministry, the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster and the UK and Northern Ireland Embassy to Slovenia.