THE SLOVAK ARMED FORCES CHIEF OF DEFENCE VISIT TO THE NATO EOD CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE TRAINING FACILITY
On 20 OCT 2026, General Miroslav LORINC, Chief of Defence (CHOD), and Major General Norbert HRIB, the 1st Deputy CHOD, conducted an official visit to the NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of Excellence (NATO EOD COE) at the Lest Training Centre (TC). The programme provided a platform for exchanging professional expertise and best practices, emphasizing HomeMade Explosives (HME) education, capability development, and specialist training supporting NATO and national EOD requirements.
The NATO EOD COE team welcomed the Senior Slovak Armed Forces (SFA) representatives and delivered a comprehensive overview of the Centre’s HME education and training (E&T) activities. The engagement underscored the importance of interoperability, institutional cooperation, and the systematic exchange of knowledge between the NATO EOD COE and SAF organizations participating in HME courses delivered by the Centre.
The first part of the programme addressed the historical development of HME E&T, the implementation and delivery of HME related training capabilities, achieved results, available statistical data, and established best practices. The presentations emphasized the need to adapt training programmes to evolving operational demands and to systematically incorporate lessons identified and lessons learned into the continuous development of educational and training capabilities. Particular attention was given to structured training delivery, quality assurance, continuous improvement, and the exchange of professional experience as key factors in sustaining and enhancing EOD capabilities in the HME subject.
The programme continued with a guided tour of the HME training facilities, where participants were briefed on the infrastructure and its role in supporting theoretical instruction and practical training. The facilities demonstrated the importance of purpose-built training environments in preparing personnel to operate effectively in complex conditions while maintaining safety standards.
The final phase included a demonstration of HME training scenarios, highlighting the operational relevance of scenario based instruction in developing technical competence, situational awareness, and appropriate responses to HME related challenges. The demonstration reinforced the need to integrate theoretical knowledge with realistic, practical training conducted under controlled conditions and following applicable safety procedures. Engagement also facilitated professional discussions on strengthening cooperation between the participating SAF organizations and the NATO EOD COE, including opportunities to further develop and enhance the delivery of international HME training courses.
General Miroslav LORINC, SAF CHOD, and Major General Norbert HRIB, the SAF 1st D CHOD, expressed their appreciation for the high standard of the presentations, the realism of the training scenarios, and the professionalism demonstrated by NATO EOD COE personnel. The programme reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to excellence in E&T, supported by robust quality assurance, implementation of lessons identified and lessons learned, and continuous capability development.
Author: LTC Alexander HUGYAR, PhD., (SVK-A)
Photo: MAJ Jiri ZEJDLIK, (SVK-A)
Photo Gallery
