Slovakia's neighbours to patrol its skies, freeing ageing MiG jets for Ukraine

Record ID: 1686446

  • Title: Slovakia's neighbours to patrol its skies, freeing ageing MiG jets for Ukraine
  • Date: 27th August 2022
  • Summary: NEAR MALACKY, SLOVAKIA (AUGUST 27, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOVIET-MADE MIG-29S PLANE ON DISPLAY VARIOUS OF CZECH DEFENCE MINISTER JANA CERNOCHOVA, SLOVAK DEFENCE MINISTER JAROSLAV NAD AND POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER MARIUSZ BLASZCZAK SIGNING AGREEMENT OVER PROTECTING SLOVAK AIR SPACE CAMERA OPERATORS CERNOCHOVA, NAD AND BLASZCZAK SHAKING HANDS PEOPLE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Slovak) SLOVAK DEFENCE MINISTER, JAROSLAV NAD, SAYING: ”Since September 1 this year, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Poland will keep control of the airspace of the Slovak Republic.” (SOUNDBITE) (Slovak) SLOVAK DEFENCE MINISTER JAROSLAV NAD SAYING: ”We are negotiating with our partners and allies, not only in Ukraine but also among NATO and other countries that are trying to find the way to help Ukraine, about what we will do next with these planes (MiG-29). I can confirm that there is a political will, and it makes sense, to help those who need help.” CAMERA OPERATORS (SOUNDBITE) (Slovak) SLOVAK DEFENCE MINISTER, JAROSLAV NAD, SAYING: ”I can confirm that the possibility (to send the MiG-29 planes to Ukraine) is on the table, and once there is an agreement we will inform you.” PEOPLE LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, MARIUSZ BLASZCZAK, SAYING: “We are in NATO, we are in the European Union and we support each other. I am convinced that once F-16 planes arrive in Slovakia, 14 F-16 planes, then together with 48 Polish F-16 planes we can expand the space of common security. When the Czech Republic receives F-35, 24 (of them) then together with 32 Polish F-35 we can also expand the security space in our union." PEOPLE WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CZECH DEFENCE MINISTER, JANA CERNOCHOVA, SAYING: “All of our three countries are connected by the same thing - dependence on Soviet technology. After the start of the war in Ukraine, we are all trying to rearm our armies as soon as possible.” VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING AND FILMING MIG-29S' FAREWELL FLIGHT MIG-29 PLANE FLYING BY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING AIR SHOW VARIOUS OF MIG-29 FAREWELL FLIGHT VARIOUS OF MIG-29 FLYING AROUND MAN FILMING MIG-29S FLYING BY MIG-29 PLANES FLYING BY MIG-29 PLANE LANDING, WATER BEING SPRAYED OVER IT
  • Embargoed: 10th September 2022 17:54
  • Keywords: Czech defence minister MiG29 planes Polish defence minister Slovak airspace Slovak army Slovak defence minister Soviet-era planes planes for Ukraine
  • Location: NEAR MALACKY, SLOVAKIA
  • City: NEAR MALACKY, SLOVAKIA
  • Country: Slovakia
  • Topics: Defence,Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001101827082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Slovakia signed a deal on Saturday (August 27) under which fellow NATO states the Czech Republic and Poland will police its skies as Bratislava withdraws its Soviet-made MiG-29s from service, potentially freeing up the old jets to send to Ukraine.
    Slovakia has said it is ready to send the 11 MiG fighters to Ukraine, whose military has long relied on Soviet-era equipment and which has appealed for more supplies from NATO nations to boost its ability to battle invading Russian forces.
    Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav told reporters at an air show on Saturday that Bratislava remained ready to send the planes to neighbouring Ukraine but no deal had yet been reached.
    "There is a political will, and it makes sense, to help those who need help," Nad said. "The possibility is on the table, and once there is an agreement we will inform you."
    Under Saturday's deal with Slovakia's neighbours, the Czech Republic and Poland will police its skies from September while Slovakia awaits delivery of 14 new, U.S.-made F-16 fighters.
    The F-16 deal was signed in 2018 and the jets are due for delivery in 2024.
    Slovakia, with a population of 5.4 million, has already donated an S-300 air defence system, Mi-series military helicopters, self-propelled howitzers and Grad multiple-rocket launcher rockets.
    This week it said it would send 30 tracked infantry fighting BVP-1 vehicles.
    Western nations and their allies have been boosting military aid to Ukraine with cash, equipment and training in the more than six-month-old conflict with Russia.
    (Production: Jiri Skacel, Malgorzata Wojtunik)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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