Between 21 and 24 October 2025, Celje hosted SIDEC 2025 – the first Slovenian Defence Industry Fair, organized by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster (GOIS), and the Slovenian Armed Forces. The event brought together over 150 companies and organizations from 20 countries, showcasing advanced technologies, innovative solutions, and future development trends in the defence sector.
Twelve members of the Youth Section of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia (YATA Slovenia) and the Slovenian Student Association for Defence Studies contributed to the successful organization and execution of the fair. Their involvement strengthened the link between youth, institutions, industry, and academia—an essential element for achieving national strategic goals and accelerating the transition from research to industrial application in areas vital to Slovenia’s security and resilience.
The official opening ceremony featured addresses by Borut Sajovic, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia; Boštjan Skalar, Director of GOIS; and Željko Kralj, Director General of the Directorate for Logistics at the Ministry of Defence.
Panel Discussion: Defence Industry and Technological Base Development Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia
One of the main highlights of the first day was the panel discussion titled “Defence Industry and Technological Base Development Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia.”
The discussion presented the main goals and orientations of the new strategic document and explored opportunities for its practical implementation. The strategy provides a framework for long-term strengthening of national industrial and technological capacities, greater self-sufficiency, development of high value-added end products, and integration of Slovenian expertise into European and NATO initiatives.
Panel participants included:
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- Boštjan Pavlin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence
- Matej Miklavčič, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of GOIS
- Dr. Damir Črnčec, Assistant to the President of the Management Board for Corporate Security at the Slovenian Sovereign Holding
- Simon Šimonka, Director of the Finance and Marketing Department at SID Bank
The discussion was moderated by Željko Kralj, Director General of the Directorate for Logistics at the Ministry of Defence.
Speakers emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach to developing the defence industry, encouraging consortia among companies, and enhancing cooperation between the state, industry, and research institutions.
Key discussion points included:
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- Transition from semi-finished to final products
- Strengthening supply chain resilience and national self-sufficiency
- Supporting SMEs in accessing financing and EU programmes
- Promoting R&D through participation in EDF, EDIP, PESCO, and the NATO Innovation Fund
- Industrializing knowledge and promoting exports through government-to-government (G2G) models
The panel also underlined the role of the Ministry of Defence in standardization, co-shaping technical requirements and validation processes, and promoting nationally developed products—key instruments for boosting the competitiveness of Slovenia’s defence industry and its visibility in the European arena.
Key Strategic Directions Confirmed at SIDEC 2025
With its rich programme and strong international participation, SIDEC 2025 confirmed its role as the central national platform for connecting the defence sector, industry, science, and society. The fair marked an important step toward implementing the objectives of the Resolution on the General Long-Term Development and Equipment of the Slovenian Armed Forces until 2040 (ReSDPROSV40), adopted in June 2025, and the Strategy for the Development of the Defence Industry and Technological Base of the Republic of Slovenia, adopted in July 2025.
Among the strategic priorities reaffirmed at the fair were:
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- Promotion of high value-added final products and strengthening critical national capabilities
- Long-term contracts and smart procurement mechanisms to ensure investment stability
- Active participation in EDF/EDIP, PESCO, and EDA projects
- Support for SMEs in accessing European tenders and value chains
- Strengthening strategic partnerships and responsible management of export practices
- Establishment of a Strategic Council of the Republic of Slovenia to guide the development of the national defence-industrial and technological base
SIDEC 2025 demonstrated that Slovenia’s defence industry is at a turning point—transforming from a fragmented system of individual producers into a strategically connected network of knowledge, innovation, and cooperation. This transformation is rooted in national interests, partnerships with allies, and the active involvement of youth—a crucial component of Slovenia’s future security, technological progress, and resilience.
Author: Matic Kosirnik
