Kalinak: Slovakia Pursuing Several Activities to Expand Drone Capabilities

Bratislava, 21 June (TASR) - Slovakia has embarked on several activities in terms of initiatives aimed at expanding drone capabilities for the effective protection of NATO's eastern border, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) stated earlier this week in connection with NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. "You're well aware that the first stage of drone production has started in Slovakia, involving patrol- and first-person-view (FPV)-type drones, while the development of interceptors designed to eliminate drone targets and so-called long-range drones is also underway," explained Kalinak. "We'd like to be capable of producing the whole range of drones based on Slovak designs developed by a Slovak company," he added. He also mentioned a remotely controlled anti-drone turret designed by a company based in Kolarovo (Nitra region), which is set to become part of an anti-drone mechanism with a control centre and detection capabilities. "Likewise, we're working on another project that we intend to present as a prototype in the autumn," said Kalinak. He noted that Slovakia is also involved in a Polish initiative aimed at creating Poland's own system while making use of Slovak weapons systems. "There are several initiatives, but we want to offer our partners a solution that is effective and reasonably inexpensive," added the minister. jrg/df