Kalinak: Slovakia May Seek Third Supplier for New Tanks

Bratislava/Haniska, 27 May (TASR) - Slovakia could also seek a third supplier of the tanks that the Defence Ministry plans to procure, declared Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) following an away-from-home government session in Haniska (Kosice region) on Wednesday. "We know of two, but I think that we may also be able to find a third tracked platform. In addition, there's still a wheeled vehicle, for which the question is whether it can carry a 120-millimetre gun instead of a 105-millimetre one," he noted. Kalinak has repeatedly stated that Slovakia plans to purchase new tanks. The ministry leadership is expected to discuss with the Slovak Armed Forces the acquisition of vehicles equipped with 120-millimetre guns mounted on lighter chassis. The minister defended the plan by citing lower costs and the special nature of Slovakia's rugged terrain. During an international defence exhibition in Bratislava, Kalinak mentioned two possible solutions. One of them is the CV90120 vehicle produced by international company BAE Systems Hagglunds. The company is currently manufacturing CV9035 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles with 35-millimetre guns for the Slovak Armed Forces. Slovak defence industry firms are also involved in the production process. The minister's earlier remarks suggested that the second option could be the CFL-120 Karpat, the development of which also involved Czech defence holding CSG. mf/df