As part of the compensation for donating 13 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, Bratislava will receive a dozen new AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters at a third of the price.
Slovakian Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad reported that the US offered his government the sale of 12 AH-1Z Viper combat helicopters, 500 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, as well as training and logistical support, in a deal valued at around USD 1 billion, of which Slovakia will only have to pay USD 340 million.
The generous American offer comes as compensation for the donation of 13 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, as well as SA-6 air defense systems, whose agreement was signed last March 17.
Our hearts w/Ukraine. Our jets for Ukraine. 🇸🇰🤝🇺🇦 #Slovakia is to donate 13 MiG-29 jets (and SA-6 air def system) to #Ukraine. Agreement signed ✅@UKRinSR @DefenceU @MyroslavKastran @oleksiireznikov @Slovakia_NATO @USEmbassySK @ZelenskyyUa pic.twitter.com/f0obiLsl2R
— Jaro Nad (@JaroNad) March 17, 2023
Slovakia withdrew its fleet of MiG-29 fighters from service last summer, due to a lack of spare parts and the Russian technical assistance needed to keep them operational. For their replacement, Bratislava chose the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70, but the first aircraft will start arriving in 2024. In the meantime, its airspace will be protected by fighters jets from the Polish Air Force and the Czech Republic Air Force, under an agreement signed in late August 2022 between the three countries.
See also: Under NATO shield, Slovakia may donate it´s MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine
Nad stated that his government had yet to approve the deal, under which it would pay $340 million over three to four years for a package valued at more than $1 billion. The rest would be covered by the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program.
«This offer is hugely advantageous and will significantly increase Slovakia’s defense potential,» the Slovak defense minister said.
