Communication concerning national defence lacked strategy 38) Communication concerning national defence lacked strategy making it underdeveloped, ineffectual and largely reactive. All this in an era when the information channels in the Slovak Republic are being filled by domestic extremist groups and foreign actors spreading their message and propaganda aimed against the security interests of the Slovak Republic. 1.11 Conclusions 39) The contribution of the White Paper on Defence of the Slovak Republic (2013) to providing a clear picture of the condition of national defence and a long-term politico-strategic framework of national defence development, with a focus on the AF SR, was confirmed. Its implementation was influenced primarily by the fundamental change in the security environment and such measures aimed at minimising security risks as were necessitated by this change. In spite of progress made in solving problems arising from the AF SR transformation process, shortfalls remain 40) Although identified by the White Paper on Defence of the Slovak Republic (2013) and in spite of progress made in solving problems arising from the AF SR transformation process, shortfalls remain. These shortfalls, which were impossible to correct since 2013 and have the potential of persisting in the mid-term, are primarily found in the capacities and capabilities of the AF SR, resulting from long-term budgetary restraints and ineffective resource management. These particularly include: • low manning levels of the AF SR in the state of security (the “state of security” as stated in national constitutional legislation*), particularly of units in lower readiness levels, influencing their ability to become operationally ready, • insufficient numbers and obsolescence of equipment and other materiel, including communication and information systems, along with a lessened serviceability of some equipment, • restrictions on the scope and quality of training, especially tactical training at the battalion and brigade levels, and also the achieved number of flight hours, • supplies available for combat operations are at a critically low level, • the quality of AF SR capabilities and their level of interoperability with allied forces are low. * State of security - a state in which the following are maintained: peace and security of the State, its democratic system and sovereignty, its territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders, fundamental rights and freedoms. It is also a state in which the lives and wellbeing of individuals, property and the natural environment are protected. 28 WHITE PAPER ON DEFENCE