Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad confirmed Wednesday that the United States has offered them the discounted purchase of twelve Bell AH-1Z Viper combat helicopters, more than 500 missiles and training for their technicians and pilots in exchange for the thirteen Soviet MiG-29 fighters that Slovak authorities have promised Ukraine.
»The offer is very favorable and shows the high degree of confidence in Slovakia. The helicopters will arrive in two years, the missiles probably sooner,» Nad has said, ‘Denník N’ daily reports.
»We would receive the rest, approximately about $660 million, as a grant through the U.S. government’s defense fund,» the defense minister explained in a post on his Facebook profile.
Nad assured that these new vehicles will be of great benefit to the Slovak Armed Forces’ capabilities and that it was thanks to their good relationship with the United States and their »clear» support for Ukraine that they were the »first» to receive this offer from Washington.
»Several countries have shown interest in the mentioned helicopters, if we don’t take them, they will go to another country,» Nad said. The offer, he explained, is also a form of »compensation» for the delay in the delivery of the F-16 fighters that had been promised to Slovakia.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
