Slovakia is going to rearm and its security: Purchase of helicopters and drones!
Slovakia is about to rearm and its security. The ministers of the two power departments decided to buy new equipment. Drones and new helicopters should be added to the Ministry of Defense under the leadership of Jaroslav Naď.
The old ones have a problem with other parts of Russia, and the boss claims that the new ones are responding to the internal situation from a substitute security situation on the eastern border. He wants to invest 25 million euros in the purchase. The government cabinet of Eduard Heger (45) decided that new helicopters should be purchased immediately. The interior minister will not need to open an open tender, but will buy helicopters directly.
The aviation department of the Ministry of the Interior now has two Russian-made helicopters of the MI-171 type, one of which is out of service for a long time, and also one American Bell 429 helicopter. The latter was bought by Robert Kaliňák. In the past, politicians have tried to buy new helicopters – also by exchanging old ones for new ones or a new tender. It was not completed and Mikulec is going to get new machines.
According to the ministry, due to technical limitations, high failure and difficult availability of spare parts, the current usability of Mi-171 helicopters is very low. “The adoption of the fifth round of new tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation is currently being negotiated, and a set of reactions from the Russian Federation can clearly be used. It is only a matter of time before the equipment manufacturer withdraws certificates for its licensed maintenance organizations in the EU and at the same time ceases to provide spare parts of the appropriate quality or parts in general, ”argues the Ministry of the Interior.
Exchange for others
According to the head of the department, such a situation in the police squadron is unbearable. “From the department’s point of view, the most optimal scenario is the procurement of proper new aircraft technology in the shortest time at the same time as the sale or replacement of two Mi-171 helicopters,” the ministry showed. In the past, there have been problems with helicopters as a result of sanctions imposed in 2014. The repair of the Russian Mi-171 helicopter thus took more than three years.
The resort plans to test new helicopters on all relevant manufacturers and traders in the market. According to Denik N, there are larger helicopters in the game – they are interested in those from the Italian manufacturer Leonardo, which was promoted in the past by Peter Pellegrini, but in larger types – the AW 139 helicopter for 15 people or the more robust AW 189 for 19 passengers. Other possible types include helicopters from Airbus and Bell. 25 million euros could be enough for two or three pieces, they also want to get money from Eurofunds.
Drones are also needed
The head of the Ministry of Defense, Jaroslav Naď (41), came up with a proposal to buy military drones. It negotiates with several manufacturers, including the Turkish manufacturer Bayraktar. “The type and number of this equipment will primarily result from the operational requirements of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. The Ministry of Defense plans to procure not only reconnaissance but also combat drones, “the ministry told Nový Čas.
Among the priorities is the procurement of drones for use at the tactical level. “This includes Class I and Class II UAV systems, which are smaller, lighter, more compact, more mobile and can be quickly deployed in the field. In general, it can be said that drones will be another modern means of securing the defense of our territory, “said spokeswoman Martina Kovaľ Kakaščíková.