Russian MiGs will continue protecting the Slovak skies

The contract should be valid until 2023 when Slovakia is expected to acquire the American F-16.

Illustrative stock photoIllustrative stock photo (Source: Ján Krošlák, Sme)

The Defence Ministry recommends prolonging the contract with a Russian company for the operation of MiG-29AS/UBS fighter jets. The contract should be valid until the end of 2023, with the possibility of being prolonged for one year.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Read also: Government has approved the purchase of F-16 jets Read more 

The current technical condition, valid legislation and maintaining the training level of Slovak pilots were the reasons stated by the ministry as reported by the TASR newswire.

The ministry considered three possibilities in the analysis – the protection of airspace by NATO planes, the cooperation with Poland or continuing in cooperation with the Russian state company RSK MiG. Slovakia should pay more than €2.5 million per jet per year with the last, selected option.

SkryťTurn off ads

Russians will service the MiGs and Slovakia will pay at least €120 millions to RSK MiG. The overall costs for the five-year operation of MiGs should reach €177 million - including VAT, the payments to Russians or costs for repair, which will be an authority of the Slovak army, Denník N reported.

Most-Híd objected the Russian option

Ministers of Most-Híd, the junior coalition partner, had objections to prolonging the contract, according to Justice Minister Gábor Gál.

“We didn’t vote,” he said, as quoted by TASR. “We stated that we are not happy about the proposal.”

He added that they would be happier if Slovakia got rid of the old MiGs and would not rely on Russian supplies anymore.

Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák said that he would welcome having the document checked by the experts of his ministry.

SkryťTurn off ads

“I would be glad if the document was not presented directly to the cabinet meeting,” he said, as quoted by TASR. “Now, I have to rely on the assurance of the defence minister.”

PM Peter Pellegrini said that there was probably negotiation about the document of the Security Council when Lajčák was away on an official trip.

The government took the process into account. Pellegrini said it does not differ from the current situation. He also pointed out that Slovakia can also terminate the contract sooner.

Top stories

Janka, a blogger, during the inauguration of the first flight to Athens with Aegean Airlines at the airport in Bratislava on September 14, 2023.

A Czech rail operator connects Prague and Ukraine, Dominika Cibulková endorses Pellegrini, and Bratislava events.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad