Tank and infantry fighting vehicle crews test their capability to cross water obstacles

Nearly 250 military drivers of Army vehicles with 24 pieces of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and support vehicles (SVs) are practising crossing water obstacles by fording and swimming at the Training Centre Lešť.

Speaking about the training activity, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “Despite the ongoing deployments of our soldiers and vehicles in support of our citizens, be that at the border crossings or at the Papal Events during the Pope's visit to Slovakia, training is among the core tasks the Armed Forces undertake. The readiness to masterfully operate one's own weapons systems and vehicles is key to completing the tasks set out in legislation. Towards this end, we need advanced weapons systems reflecting today's operational requirements.”

Given that there is a variety of terrains in Slovakia, overcoming water obstacles is a key capability for combat arms units. Combat engagement before, during and after crossing watercourses, crossing of water obstacles, reconnaissance, recovery of stuck and damaged vehicles – these all mark a culmination of professional mastery of warfare by crews of IFVs and SVs and other personnel, including divers of the Engineer Battalion Sereď, and require exercising regularly.

The ongoing training activity is overseen by Commander 2nd Mechanised Brigade Col Slavomír Verčimák. The exercising troops are practising their readiness to cross water obstacles with different IFV variants, T-72 tanks of the Tank Battalion Trebišov and BRDM amphibious vehicles of the CBRN Battalion Rožňava.

Col Verčimák, the officer in charge of the training, said: “The readiness to conduct warfare in an environment where there are water obstacles has a significant impact on the success of military operations. For this reason, we regularly practise this capability in realistic conditions.”