Slovakia signs deal with Czech Republic and Poland to help it send MiG-29s to Ukraine
Slovakia has signed an agreement under which fellow NATO members the Czech Republic and Poland will patrol its skies as Bratislava decommissions its Soviet MiG-29s, potentially allowing them to be transferred to Ukraine, Reuters reported on Aug. 27.
The agreement on the F-16 was signed back in 2018, and the aircraft are to be delivered in 2024.
At the same time, Slovakia is preparing to transfer 11 MiG-29 jet fighters to Ukraine.
Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď told reporters during an air show on Aug. 27 that Bratislava is ready to send planes to Ukraine, but an agreement has yet to be reached.
“There is the political will, and it makes sense to help those in need,” Naď said. “This possibility is being considered, and as soon as an agreement is reached, we will notify you.”
Slovakia previously transferred to Ukraine S-300 air defense systems, Mi-series military helicopters, self-propelled howitzers and Grad multiple launch rocket systems. Bratislava also announced this week that it would send 30 BVP-1 tracked infantry fighting vehicles.
Naď, who valued the MiGs at about EUR 300 million, said Slovakia would require some financial or material compensation for its donations to modernize its troops.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
