BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia has delivered the remaining 9 of the 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets that it promised to Ukraine, the Slovak Defense Ministry mentioned on Monday.
The ministry mentioned the warplanes had been transported overland for safety causes in a “complicated logistics operation.” The first 4 had been flown from Slovakia to Ukraine by Ukrainian pilots on March 23.
“We are doing the right thing,” Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad mentioned in a press release
On March 17, the Slovak authorities accredited a plan to present Ukraine its total fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 planes, changing into the second NATO member to reply Ukraine’s plea for warplanes to assist defend in opposition to Russia’s invasion.
Slovakia grounded its MiGs in the summertime on account of an absence of spare elements and upkeep experience. Neighboring Poland and the Czech Republic, each NATO members, stepped in to observe Slovak air house.
Replacements for the MiG-29s are unlikely to reach for an additional yr. Slovakia beforehand signed a deal to purchase 14 U.S. F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets, however supply was pushed again two years with the primary plane to reach in early 2024.
The United States has supplied Slovakia 12 new navy helicopters as compensation for the fighter jets given to Ukraine. Under the provide, Slovakia would pay $340 million for the Bell AH-1Z assault choppers in a deal value about $1 billion. U.S. overseas navy financing would cowl the opposite $660 million.
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