THE 3rd MODERN ARMY FAIR – AN ARSENAL OF SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION!

Avtor:
Datum: 10. 05. 2005
"In three years, the fair has become a very high quality, professional cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the organizer of the fair, Radgonsko sejmišèe. The fair has branched out into an indispensable meeting of producers of military goods and their users – the Slovenian Armed Forces and the armed forces of neighbouring countries, the police, the Slovenian fire fighters and the civil sphere."

The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia,
during his address at the opening of the 3rd Modern Army Fair

THE SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION OF THE DEFENCE INDUSTRY, FIRE FIGHTERS, PROTECTION AND RESCUE, NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES' ARMIES AND THE COOPERATION OF THE MILITARY AND THE CIVIL SPHERE

The Modern Army Fair, the 3rd International Fair of Military Knowledge, Equipment and Systems, hosted the demonstration of modern military equipment and armaments of the Slovene, Hungarian and Austrian armed forces, and the presentation of 110 exhibitors from 14 countries from Thursday, September 22, to Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Gornja Radgona on a total exhibition area of 43 500 square meters. Exhibitors from the following countries were represented: Austria, Finland, France, Italy, Israel, Canada, Germany, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain and the USA. Military equipment, armament and ammunition, means of transport and logistics, electronic, optical and optoelectronic equipment, informatics and connections, engineering instruments and equipment, safety and special operative technology and equipment, military protective equipment and garments, sanitary and medical equipment, military training means and equipment, military supply, semi-products that form final products for the purposes of military needs and expert literature were all shown. As this year's new feature, fire fighting and protection and rescue equipment were exhibited. Cultural and art projects for appearance in military-peace bases around the world were also presented.
The Slovene Armed Forces presented themselves with an extensive exhibition and an attractive demonstration of the techniques and skills of the units at the main army testing ground. The Fire Fighters' Association of Slovenia was present, with an exhibition site, expert conference and a fire drill, in cooperation with the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief.
The Modern Army fair was visited by nearly 33 000 people. Besides visitors from Slovenia, the organizer also recorded visitors from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Canada, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Republic of Srpska, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.

THE EVENTS OF THE FAIR DELIGHTED THE BUSINESS, EXPERT AND GENERAL PUBLIC

The ceremonial speaker, who also opened the event, was the Slovenian Minister of Defence , Mr. Karl Erjavec. Also present at the opening were, the major general of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Mr. Ladislav Lipiè, the president of the parliamentary committee, Anton Anderliè, members of the National Assembly and the National Council, the president of the Fire Fighters' Association of Slovenia, Ernes Eory, the commander of the Fire Fighters' Association of Slovenia, Matjaž Klariè, Civil protection representatives, armed forces from neighbouring countries, diplomatic representatives in Slovenia and numerous representatives of the domestic and international economy.
The fair was also visited by delegates who were participating in the international conference on the cooperation of the defence industry in Central and South-Eastern Europe in Maribor. Representatives of the defence ministries of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Switzerland and the USA, as well as representatives of the European Defence Agency in the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia took the opportunity of this visit to the fair to discuss the actual situation and new opportunities in the field of intentional industry cooperation in this region, as well as the politics and direction of the European Defence Agency.
The Fire Fighters' Association organized an expert conference, a fire drill entitled A Traffic Accident Involving Hazardous Substances with the joint appearance of fire fighters from Gornja Radgona, Bad Radkesburg and the Slovenian Armed Forces, followed by the appearance of the Vuzenica fire fighters' brass band.
Representatives of defence industry companies met at the expert conference entitled Opportunities for the Slovene Economy after Joining the Euroatlantic Link, organized by the Section for Defence Industry at the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce.
The most prominent representatives of the Sports Unit of the Slovenian Armed Forces appeared at the Modern Army Fair: judoists Raša Sraka and Urška žolnir, the motorcyclist Miran Stanovnik and the extreme cyclist Jure Robiè.
Members of the Slovenian Armed Forces Guard made an appearance with their „show“ programme, and representatives of the cavalry unit with Lipica horses. The Slovenian Armed Forces Orchestra and the Police Orchestra also made appearances. Twice daily, and from the safety of the stands,, visitors had the opportunity to admire a dynamic demonstration of military techniques and skills performed by the Slovenian Armed Forces. Representatives of the health service measured blood pressure and blood sugar and analyzed body structure, there were free military food tastings, and visitors had the chance to test their shooting skills on infantry, antitank defence and armour training devices…

The fair confirmed the alliance between the economy, the armed forces and the civil sphere. The participant’s responses reflect the fact that the fair fully implemented its business, professional and promotional objectives. This is the best assurance that it will also successfully pursue its long-term objectives: the lasting assurance of peace and safety from natural and other catastrophes!