Slovakia announced on Wednesday that it has received an attractive deal from the United States worth $1 billion for helicopters and missiles as compensation for its decision to send MiG-29 warplanes to Ukraine. Slovakia’s Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad took to Facebook to reveal the offer, saying that the value of the material is over $1 billion, and Slovakia would pay approximately $340 million over three to four years.
The offer includes 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters, complete with accessories and training for pilots and technicians, along with more than 500 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
Nad stressed that the offer was significant compensation for the fighter jets that Slovakia had promised to Ukraine, and that this was a lucrative opportunity for Slovakia as they were the first to receive this offer. He further added that Slovakia had decided to donate 13 old MiG-29 fighter jets and a part of the KUB air defence system to Ukraine.
Poland had earlier pledged to provide fighter jets to Ukraine, making it the second NATO country to do so.
Nad explained that Slovakia’s decision to switch to American F-16s was the reason for the donation, and the changeover was set to take place by January 2024. The United States’ offer, with discounted rates, included the advanced Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters and Hellfire missiles, which would be a significant upgrade to Slovakia’s military hardware.
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