SaS: Defence Ministry Wants to Purchase Small Arms without Public Procurement

Bratislava, 11 November (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party has criticised the Defence Ministry's plans to purchase small arms without a public procurement. SaS MP Juraj Krupa told a news conference on Tuesday that the purchase price should be €100 million, which he views as too much. "In Germany, 118,000 Heckler & Koch assault rifles were purchased via a public procurement for €200 million, and we want to purchase 20,000 assault rifles for €100 million. Where is the consolidation here, please? Where is the cost-saving by the state? When you look at those purchases, they don't care how much it costs, but you are supposed to save," stated Krupa. At the same time, the MP hinted that the ministry is favouring one producer in advance. He denied that it's common practice abroad not to announce a tender and automatically favour one producer. ko/df