The 2nd Mechanized Brigade of general Rudolf Viest is a subordinate component of the Ground Forces of the Slovak Republic. The headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade is located in Prešov.

Main task The main task of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade is to "participate in the tasks of defense and protection of vital interests of Slovak republic and its allies against military and non-military threats by conducting military and non-military operations. With regard to organizational structure and armament, the 2nd MechBde is designed to fulfill full spectrum operations against lightly armored enemy units in high battle rhythm."

History

18 June 1945 creation of the 10th infantry division in Košice 1956–1966 18th motorised rifle division 1960 relocation from Košice to Prešov 1966–1990 reorganization into the 14th tank division 1991–1994 reorganization into the 14th mechanized division 1994–2000 reorganization into the 2nd army corps 1 April 2000 creation of HQ of the 1st mechanized brigade 1 October 2000 creation of the 1st mechanized brigade 1 October 2003 reorganization of the 1.mb to a mechanized brigade 1 October 2006 reorganization to a mechanized brigade 3 September 2007 received honorary title referring to General Rudolf Viest 1 October 2010 adoption of battle flag

Commanders 1945–1948 Brigadier General 1948–1949 Brigadier General Ľudevít Sozanský 1949–1951 Brigadier General Ján Malár 1951–1955 Brigadier General Jaroslav Palička 1955–1956 Colonel 1956–1957 Lieutenant Colonel Peter Andrejčík 1957–1960 Colonel Josef Kudrnovský 1960–1964 Colonel 1964–1967 unknown 1967–1972 Major General 1972–1974 Colonel 1974–1978 Major General 1978–1982 Colonel Imrich Andrejčák 1982–1985 Major General 1985–1987 Major General 1987–1990 Colonel 1990–1991 Colonel 1991–1992 Major General 1997–1999 Major General 2000–2002 Colonel 2002–2005 Brigadier General 2005–2006 Colonel 2006–2007 Brigadier General 2007–2010 Brigadier General 2010–2012 Colonel 2012–2015 Colonel 2015–present Brigadier General

Organizational structure HQ of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade (Prešov) 21st Mixed Mechanized Battalion (Trebišov) (Michalovce) Self-propelled artillery section (Michalovce) Battalion logistics support (Prešov) CIMIC and PSYOPS unit (Martin) Directly subordinate units

Equipment and weapon systems Small arms and portable artillery Pistol CZ 82 Model 58 assault rifle Universal machine gun model 59 Sniper rifle SVDN 1 Sniper rifle AW-50 Rocket-propelled grenade RPG-7 OZ 9P135 M anti-tank missile launcher Mortar 81mm Mortar 82mm Mortar 98mm

Armoured fighting vehicles BVP/1 infantry fighting vehicle (Czechoslovak and Slovak variants) OT-90 infantry fighting vehicle (Czechoslovak and Slovak BMP variant) with 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank missile system T-72M1 main battle tank

Artillery vehicles Self-propelled gun howitzer ZUZANA

Utility and transport vehicles Off-road vehicle Land Rover Defender 110 (utility and patrol vehicle) Mercedes-Benz G-Class (utility and patrol vehicle) Off-road vehicle UAZ-469 B (utility and patrol vehicle, gradually decommissioned) Mercedes-Benz G-300 (military ambulance) Volkswagen Transporter (T4) (military ambulance) AKTIS 4x4 off-road transport vehicle (military transport truck) Tatra T-815 VVN heavy off-road transport (military transport truck) Tatra T-815-7 heavy off-road transport (military transport truck) Tatrapan T1 ZASA armoured personnel carrier / armoured truck (transport, logistics) Praga V3S off-road transport vehicle (military transport truck, gradually decommissioned)

Engineering and specialist vehicles Tatra T-815 Multilift container loader Crane vehicle AV-15 Bridgelayer vehicles Božena 3 mine flail and de-mining equipment

Reconnaissance drone Innocon Microfalcon UAV

Portable radiolocator FLIR Ranger R20

Insignia The insignia of the 2nd mechanized Brigade and its individual battalions includes coat of arms style emblems for each of the major components. The 2nd Mechanized Brigade also has an honorary battle flag.

See also 1st Mechanized Brigade of the Slovak Ground Forces

References

Further reading Štaigl, J. a kolektív: Generáli - slovenská vojenská generalita 1918 – 2009 ("Generals: Slovak Military Generals 1918 - 2009"), Magnet Press, Slovakia 2009, str. 68

External links Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces Ground Forces HQ 2nd Mechanized Brigade 21st mixed Mechanized Battalion 22nd Mechanized Battalion of general Mikuláš Markuš Self-propelled Artillery Section Logistics Support Battalion