ICE Conference on Unmanned Aerial Systems for the Slovak Armed Forces

Košice, December 3, 2024

The Institute for Central Europe, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic and the Faculty of Aeronautics at the Technical University of Košice, hosted a conference on December 3, titled „Enhancing Slovak Armed Forces through Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): Needs and Insights.“

The conference commenced with speeches from the defense ministers of Slovakia and Slovenia, Robert Kaliňák and Borut Sajovic. They were joined by the Lieutenant General Robert Glavaš, Chief of the Slovenian General Staff, and Brigadier General Aurel Sabó, Rector of the Armed Forces Academy of General M. R. Štefánik.

Four panel discussions brought together senior officers of the Slovak Armed Forces, industry experts, government representatives, and academics to share insights on the current and future needs of the military. Topics included the rapid evolution of UAS technology, their deployment in ongoing conflicts, applications during peacetime, industry innovations, and the impact of regulations and legislation.

Martin Vojtašovič, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic, remarked, “The battlefield is undergoing a profound transformation. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are no longer limited to reconnaissance; their applications have significantly expanded. In countries like Israel and Ukraine, UAS are critical not only in active conflicts but also in conflict prevention, border patrol, crime fighting, and more.” He added, “While we may not have all the answers for tomorrow, conferences like this bring us closer to solutions by fostering cooperation and knowledge sharing.”

Attendees also explored an exhibition featuring booths from our esteemed conference partners, including Elbit Systems, IAI, Skyeton, and DefTech. DLA Piper and Aliter Technologies were significant contributors that played a vital role in the success of this year’s UAS conference.