Slovakia to deploy troops to Poland, Romania for NATO airspace monitoring mission

Slovakia will send up to 101 soldiers to Poland and Romania as part of NATO's "Eastern Sentry" operation, the government announced Wednesday, pending parliamentary approval that officials expect to pass without difficulty.

FILE PHOTO: Soldiers stand by a tank during NATO Eagle Spearhead drill with seven allies at the "Getica" National Joint Training Center in Cincu, Romania, August 18, 2026.

REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak said the deployment will focus on detecting drone threats and will serve as a real-world test for new 3D radar systems. Slovakia has ordered 17 of the units from Israel, with deliveries ongoing, and is mounting them on Tatra vehicle chassis.

"[The soldiers] will help in the identification of threats from drones", Kaliniak said, adding that the radar systems are meant to be tested "in operational conditions".

Beyond airspace surveillance, the troops will support NATO's integrated air and missile defense network. The Defense Ministry framed the mission as part of broader deterrence efforts, while military commanders said the deployment would also sharpen the Slovak army's readiness for international operations.

NATO launched "Eastern Sentry" on Sept. 19, 2025, in response to repeated Russian incursions into allied airspace. The mission has no scheduled end date.

(jh)

Source: PAP