4 THE SLOVENIAN ARMED FORCES The mission of the Slovenian Armed Forces is to deter military aggression against the Republic of Slovenia independently and in cooperation with its allies, and to contribute to international peace and stability both within and outside the Alliance’s borders. The Slovenian Armed Forces provides military defence to the Republic of Slovenia independently and in cooperation with its allies in the event of military aggression. The modern security environment requires the Slovenian Armed Forces to increase its ability to operate in various security, military and defence scenarios across the entire spectrum of operations; increase its level of readiness; and increase the resilience and sustainability of military capabilities. The capabilities of the Slovenian Armed Forces support various national security subsystems in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia in crisis and other security-critical situations. 4.1 Vision for the development of the Slovenian Armed Forces The Slovenian Armed Forces will be able and prepared to defend and protect the country with its own capabilities and in cooperation with its allies. It will cooperate in ensuring the overall security of the country and its citizens, and in maintaining and establishing peace, security and stability in the world. The ability and readiness of the Slovenian Armed Forces will be based on trained and skilled soldiers, competent leaders, quality equipment, high-level commands and units, and the ability to adapt to the complex security environment. The Slovenian Armed Forces will be an advanced and effective military organization which will develop the necessary military capabilities, raise the level of general readiness and resilience, and create conditions for increasing its size in the event of a sharp deterioration in the security situation or an immediate military threat to the country. The following development objectives will need to be met to achieve this vision: – Modernization of the Slovenian Armed Forces, with a focus on developing the military capabilities of two medium battalion battle groups; – Construction and modernization of critical infrastructure and training areas for the operation and development of the Slovenian Armed Forces and the defence system; – Strengthening of technologically advanced military capabilities as a force multiplier; 14