by Alberto Galvi –
Slovakia has approved a plan to deliver its entire fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine, after the first four have already been flown into the war-torn country by Ukrainian pilots on March 23. Slovakia has thus decided to deliver the remaining nine of the 13 MiG-29s promised to Ukraine, and they will be transported by land for security reasons.
In doing so, Slovakia became the second NATO member to respond to Ukraine’s request for warplanes to defend against a Russian invasion. Slovakia grounded its MIGs in the summer due to lack of spare parts and maintenance experience. Replacements for the MIG-29s are unlikely to arrive for another year. Neighboring Poland and the Czech Republic, both NATO members, have stepped in to monitor Slovakian airspace.
Slovakia had previously signed an agreement to purchase 14 US F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets, but delivery was delayed by two years with the first aircraft arriving in early 2024. The US they offered Slovakia 12 new military helicopters as compensation for fighters given to Ukraine.
Thus Slovakia would pay $340 million for Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters as part of a deal worth around $1 billion, while the United States would cover the other $660 million.
