Defence Ministry Recommends Extending Contract to Operate MiG-29 Aircraft

Bratislava, February 20 (TASR) - Based on an analysis the Defence Ministry recommends that the Government should extend the contract with the Russian company to operate MiG-29AS/UBS fighter aircraft until the end of 2023, with the possibility of its prolongation by one year, with the Government taking note of the analysis on Wednesday, TASR learnt on the same day. The ministry explains its suggestion with the current technical state, the valid legislation as well as maintaining the training level of Slovak pilots. The ministry considered three options in the analysis - the protection of airspace with aircraft of NATO member countries, the co-operation with Poland and the continued co-operation with RSK MiG. If the contract with the Russian company is extended, Slovakia should pay over €2.5 million per aircraft per year. According to head of the Justice Ministry Gabor Gal (Most-Hid), ministers for the Most-Hid party had objections against the extension of the contract. "We abstained from voting. We said we weren't enthusiastic about this proposal, we weren't for this proposal. We would prefer to get rid of the old MiG aircraft and not to depend on Russian supplies," he said. Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak (a Smer-SD nominee) said it would be welcome to him if experts in his ministry could have a look at the material. "I would prefer if the material hadn't been submitted directly to the government session. I had to rely on the assurance of Defence Minister [Peter Gajdos (Slovak National Party/SNS)]," he said. Reacting to Lajcak's words, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) said that the Security Council discussed the material quite a long time ago, probably when Lajcak wasn't present at it because of work duties abroad. According to him, the procedure the Government took note of isn't different from the current situation. He also highlighted that Slovakia can terminate the contract earlier. am/mcs