The launch of the S-300 system in Bulgaria. (source: Defence Ministry)
Slovakia will not consider sending the S-300 air defence system currently used by its army to Ukraine if Russia stops breaching international law and withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
This was stated by Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď (OĽaNO) before the March 23 cabinet session, shortly after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov again warned countries that own the S-300 system against giving it to Ukraine.
Naď said earlier that Slovakia will try to replace the S-300 system with another system that would be fully compatible with Slovakia’s allies and provide Slovakia with high defensive capabilities.
Apart from Slovakia, the system is currently used by Greece and Bulgaria. It can be maintained only in Russia or Ukraine, Naď pointed out.
He added that the condition of the defence infrastructure, technology and equipment is not good, and after the armoured vehicles are purchased, the country will modernise weapons and drone technology, and buy subsonic training fighters.
“Currently, 60 modernisation projects are being run by the Defence Ministry,” Naď said, as quoted by the SITA newswire.
