Green light given to closer cooperation between Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19) and Special Operations Forces (SOF)

In a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Interior (MOI) on 14 October 2021, Director General of the Economy Branch Tomáš Oparty, representing the SVK MOI, and Commander of the SVK Special Operations Forces Brig Gen Branislav Benka, representing the SVK MOD, signed the Implementation Agreement on Mutual Cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence. Also in attendance at the signing ceremony was Director of the Constitutional Representatives and Diplomatic Missions Protection Office Col Marek Moncman (MOI).

The Implementation Agreement lists specific areas of cooperation such as joint training exercises involving Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19) police officers and 5th Special Operations Forces (SOF) Regiment personnel, expertise sharing, skills development, and parachute training. The Agreement provides the space for potential military assistance in high profile incidents as part of domestic crisis management operations.