Slovakia Buys 6 Air Defense Systems From Israel

JAKARTA - The Slovak government approved plans to buy six air defense systems moving from Israel for 554.3 million euros (USD 616.88 million). The NATO member country wants to strengthen its airspace protection.

The Slovak government also approved the purchase of more than 1,300 heavy terrain 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles in joint acquisitions with the Czech Republic, with an estimated cost of 708.3 million euros, which would replace the old trucks.

Ukraine's neighboring Slovakia has been working to improve air defense capabilities.

This is part of NATO's efforts to strengthen the eastern side of the military alliance.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, August 28, Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said priority must be on defense capabilities, especially air defenses.

Last month, the country received shipments of two of the 14 new F-16 fighter jets. The government did not name the defense system to be purchased from Israel in an intergovernmental agreement.

Slovakia operates a medium-range KUB 2K12 system, which has reached the end of its life cycle, the defense ministry said in a document released on Wednesday.

Under the previous administration, Slovakia donated an old S-300 air defense system to Ukraine, a decision the current government has criticized for lowering the country's air defense capabilities.