How the Slovenian Armed Forces Are Driving Operational Readiness with VR/XR, Powered by Varjo and AFormX
By combining AFormX’s advanced military flight simulators with Varjo’s industry-leading VR/XR hardware, the Slovenian Armed Forces are benefiting from cost-effective, immersive, and highly effective training to improve their tactical readiness and operational efficiency.
Challenge: Limited Access to Tactical Military Aviation Training
The Slovenian Armed Forces is the defence force of the Republic of Slovenia.
Military aviation training has long been faced by a range of persistent challenges. These include the substantial financial costs associated with maintaining advanced simulation systems, complex logistical hurdles in coordinating fleet and range availability, and a lack of realism that limits the effectiveness of many traditional simulators.
Due to the lack of domestic dome simulator capabilities, the Slovenian Armed Forces previously depended on facilities outside of Slovenia for pilot training on platforms including Bell helicopters, Cougars, and the PC-9. This came with a set of limitations, especially when it comes to their ease of access. “We didn’t have any solutions for tactical simulation. We relied on foreign facilities, which caused significant scheduling difficulties. The dome simulators we had access to didn’t match our aircraft accurately,” said Lt. Col. Gregor Virant, Chief of Strategic Events and Policy at SAF.
This reliance on external resources limited the frequency and quality of SAF’s simulation exercises. The lack of tailored, on-demand solutions meant that pilots often trained on systems that failed to reflect the specific performance and operational characteristics of their actual aircraft. These challenges highlighted the need for a more modern, flexible, and cost-effective solution—one that could provide high-fidelity training in a format that better supported the SAF’s strategic goals.
Solution: Custom-Built XR Simulators Tailored to SAF Requirements
Recognizing the urgent need to elevate the quality of their training programs, SAF partnered with simulation specialists at AFormX to modernize their approach to tactical flight training. This partnership has resulted in the creation of three state-of-the-art simulators powered by Varjo headsets: a Virtual Reality (VR) simulator for the SWIFT light attack aircraft, a Mixed Reality (XR) simulator for the same aircraft, and a VR simulator for the AS532 Cougar helicopter.
Delivered in November 2024, the military flight simulators feature highly accurate aircraft models that precisely reflect the Slovenian Armed Forces fleet, along with a high-fidelity virtual representation of Slovenia’s terrain. They also enable accurate monitoring of the pilot’s progress.
- The SWIFT light attack aircraft VR simulator offers pilots an immersive experience that closely replicates real-world flying conditions. It places pilots in a hyper-realistic cockpit environment, allowing them to practice both basic and advanced flight maneuvers, low level navigation, and tactical scenarios. The true-to-life immersion improves focus and realism without the need for a physical cockpit.
- The SWIFT light attack aircraft XR simulator merges real-world physical cockpit components with virtual environments, enabling pilots to interact with the real controls—such as the flight stick, throttle levers, and instrument panels—while being fully immersed in a high-fidelity virtual simulation. This hybrid approach allows for practice in mission-specific procedures, formation flying, and tactical maneuvers within a controlled environment.
- The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar VR simulator addresses the unique demands of helicopter training, simulating realistic cockpit settings and operational systems. It enables comprehensive scenario training, including formation flying, troop transport, search and rescue, and tactical navigation for the pilot-flying role.
Immersive Flight in a Digital Twin of Slovenia
Experienced through the high-fidelity Varjo XR-4 Series headsets, the new simulations deliver ultra-immersive training grounded in the actual environments pilots will operate in: a highly detailed virtual model of Slovenia itself.
Using advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) data powered by X-Plane’s 3D software, the simulation environment captures the country’s diverse landscapes with remarkable accuracy—from mountainous terrain and river valleys to urban environments and strategic infrastructure.
“People don’t fly over let’s say Ireland or Switzerland or generic locations—they fly over Slovenia, which we modeled very accurately. Similarly, they don’t fly a generic aircraft, they fly their own aircraft with exact systems and cockpit replication,” says Sašo Knez, Co-Founder of AFormX.
Beyond visual fidelity, these simulators are engineered for full interoperability, opening the door to complex joint training exercises. Pilots can participate in coordinated formation flying, simulate multi-aircraft tactical missions, and engage in collaborative operational planning—all within a shared, networked simulation environment. By enabling seamless interaction between different units and platforms, the system not only sharpens individual skills but also strengthens collective readiness and teamwork.
Unmatched Clarity, Unrestricted Training
AFormX and Slovenian Armed Forces chose Varjo headsets for their exceptional performance in both virtual and mixed reality training. The choice was driven by the need for uncompromising visual clarity and immersive realism, which are both crucial for effective and impactful pilot training.
“We chose Varjo because we needed clear, high-resolution images inside the simulated environment. The Varjo XR-4’s video pass-through cameras allow seamless interaction with the real world. The ability to run the headsets without internet connection is also important, especially in military applications,” says Žan Cankar, Business Development Manager at AFormX.
The wide field of view and sharp resolution allow pilots to fully immerse themselves in the virtual environment, without the constraints of older, fixed-perspective simulation systems. This freedom to move naturally within the simulation space creates a more natural training experience.
“With Varjo’s headsets, there’s no visual limitation like with dome simulators. I can look 360 degrees around and see everything clearly, significantly enhancing realism,“ Lt. Col. Virant explains.
Tangible Improvements in Pilot Readiness and Training Efficiency
By providing pilots with an environment where they can see, move, and react exactly as they would in real missions, the Varjo-powered military flight simulators are helping to redefine the standards of realism and performance in tactical training.
Integrating virtual and mixed reality into SAF’s training programs has already shown tangible results in improving pilot performance and operational readiness. The ability to rehearse complex maneuvers in a realistic, risk-free environment has boosted pilot confidence and competence, allowing for more effective mission execution from the very start.
“Instructors are fascinated with the trend that our pilots are having when using the new simulator. Students transitioned seamlessly from simulator training to actual flights and significantly outperformed expectations on their initial flights,” Lt. Col. Virant notes.
Moreover, instructors have observed a significant leveling up in the efficiency and effectiveness of pre-flight preparations. Immersing pilots in realistic environments before they even step into a real cockpit accelerates learning and ensures mission safety. Sašo Knez summarizes the benefits: “The VR/XR simulation is like visualization—or ‘chair flying’—on steroids, directly enhancing safety and mission readiness.”
“Students transitioned seamlessly from simulator training to actual flying and significantly outperformed expectations on their initial flights.”
Lt. Col. Gregor Virant - Chief of Strategic Events and Policy at SAF
Expanding Capabilities: Multi-Crew and Future Prospects
With the successful integration of virtual and mixed reality into pilot training, the Slovenian Armed Forces are now positioned to take a bold step forward in preparing their pilots for the demands of modern tactical missions. The simulators are being tested in action, and the collaboration between SAF and AFormX will continue with commitment to future innovation.
Plans are already underway to integrate the current system with even more advanced features, aiming to extend the capabilities beyond fixed-wing aircraft simulations. Future developments include the expansion into helicopter, complex multi-crew coordination exercises, and entirely new domains such as gunnery and weapons training.
“We see XR as the future of military aviation training. I believe there will be a significant shift toward XR, particularly for single-pilot operations,” says Knez. “We’re committed to expanding these capabilities and exploring the balance between dome, XR, and VR technologies.“
As the technology evolves, its adaptability to various mission types and roles—from solo operations to coordinated, multi-crew missions—positions it as a cornerstone for future-proof military training.
