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Slovenia became a NATO member on 29 March 2004, just over a month before it joined the EU. Since then, Slovenia has become an active player in the European and international security and defence system. It has since proven that the small Slovenian army can make a difference in global peacemaking efforts and make an active contribution in key operations. With a maximum of 11 per cent of all its soldiers serving abroad in 2007, Slovenia`s relative share of troops involved in international operations is the highest among all NATO countries.
Slovenia is taking part in all the missions led by the alliance, with the exception of the Active Endeavour maritime operation. Its most important contribution is in Kosovo, where a 600-strong battalion was assigned its own area of responsibility, a first for the Slovenian Armed Forces.
The percentage of GDP allocated for defence spending is expected to rise from the planned 1.65 % in 2007 to 2% by 2009, and maintain the same level until 2012. The plan calls for a reduction in personnel costs (to 50%), and an increase of operational and maintenance costs (to 30%), and procurement and construction costs (to 20%).
Since 1997, almost 2,440 Slovenian troops have participated in NATO operations in the Western Balkans region. With the stabilisation of security conditions, in particular in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with the EU`s takeover of the leadership of the peacekeeping mission at the end of 2004, Slovenia gradually withdrew troops from the country in 2005, and strengthened its presence in Kosovo and Afghanistan. In 2005 the Slovenian Armed Forces were included in the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – both NATO undertakings - and in the EU-led EUFOR, and UNTSO in the Middle East, a UN operation.