Cost-effectiveness and „Collective Wisdom”

Gen. Tibor Bozó pointed out that the setting up of a joint V4 battle group was already in progress, and that the results of validation exercises and joint training activities – which are to commence soon – would be visible next year. “Presently we are working on certain technical details, and the next step will be the creation of a joint training catalogue on my initiative". “Essentially, this will be about focusing our forces and sharing the important lessons learned." The general added that besides evident cost-effectiveness, the “principle of collective wisdom" is also crucial from this aspect, since these joint efforts made by several small countries can only produce positive results.

Answering our questions, the participants mostly stressed the financial advantages. “We are all suffering from budget cuts", Lt.-Col. Blaz Tomsic (Armed Forces of Slovenia) said. “The common work, training and education, however, give us an opportunity to build up our capabilities in a more cost-effective way. So our initiative is a plus to the pooling and sharing of defence capabilities and the “Smart Defence" initiative."

In addition to the material aspects, several participants stressed the importance of joint action by the countries of the region so they can add more weight to representing their interests in systems of alliances. “First of all, cooperation provides an advantage in the field of training, since we can use the opportunities provided by other armies", Col. Ivan Pach (Slovakia) pointed out. “On the other hand, the Slovakian nation with its five million citizens is a small nation in the region, but if we take the V4 countries and the Central European countries, we have altogether around 80 million people forming a significant portion of Europe, so we can have “a bigger voice" in the European Union."

Photos: WO1 Lajos Szabó