# 2nd Mechanized Brigade (Slovakia)

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 Emil Perko [sk] |
| 1948–1949 | Brigadier General Ľudevít Sozanský |
| 1949–1951 | Brigadier General Ján Malár |
| 1951–1955 | Brigadier General Jaroslav Palička |
| 1955–1956 | Colonel Alexander Mucha [sk] |
| 1956–1957 | Lieutenant Colonel Peter Andrejčík |
| 1957–1960 | Colonel Josef Kudrnovský |
| 1960–1964 | Colonel Pavol Papač [sk] |
| 1964–1967 | unknown |
| 1967–1972 | Major General Zoltán Jakuš [sk] |
| 1972–1974 | Colonel Stanislav Weinlich [sk] |
| 1974–1978 | Major General Josef Einšpigl [sk] |
| 1978–1982 | Colonel Imrich Andrejčák |
| 1982–1985 | Major General František Radimský [sk] |
| 1985–1987 | Major General Jan Ščudlík [sk] |
| 1987–1990 | Colonel Marián Horský [sk] |
| 1990–1991 | Colonel Emil Vestenický [sk] |
| 1991–1992 | Major General Ján Čmilanský [sk] |
| 1997–1999 | Major General František Butko [sk] |
| 2000–2002 | Colonel Jaroslav Vývlek [sk] |
| 2002–2005 | Brigadier General Miroslav Kováč [sk] |
| 2005–2006 | Colonel Ján Salaganič [sk] |
| 2006–2007 | Brigadier General Štefan Mečár [sk] |
| 2007–2010 | Brigadier General Ondřej Novosad [sk] |
| 2010–2012 | Colonel Karol Navrátil [sk] |
| 2012–2015 | Colonel Martin Michalko [sk] |
| 2015–present | Brigadier General Martin Stoklasa [sk] |

## Organizational structure

* HQ of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade (Prešov)
* 21st Mixed Mechanized Battalion (Trebišov)
* 22nd Mechanized Battalion Mikuláš Markuš [sk] (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.
* Tank Battalion (Trebišov)
* 22nd Mixed Mechanized Battalion (Michalovce)