Slovakia sends MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine - PM

Record ID: 1715958

  • Title: Slovakia sends MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine - PM
  • Date: 17th March 2023
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF GENERAL MANAGER OF RECAPP, JEROME VIRICEL, DEMONSTRATING THE DIGITAL PLATFORM OF RECAPP (SOUNDBITE) (English) GENERAL MANAGER OF RECAPP, JEROME VIRICEL, SAYING (SOUNDBITE PART OVERLAID WITH SCREEN SHOWING APPLICATION): "You can either register on the digital application on your mobile phone or you can as well register directly on the website, and when you regist
  • Embargoed: 31st March 2023 16:54
  • Keywords: aircraft fighter jet mig mig-29 nato plane poland russia slovakia ukraine
  • Location: BRATISLAVA AND MALACKY, SLOVAKIA
  • City: BRATISLAVA AND MALACKY, SLOVAKIA
  • Country: Slovakia
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe
  • Reuters ID: LVA007824517032023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Slovakia on Friday (March 17) became the second of Ukraine's allies to provide MIG-29 fighter jets which Kyiv believes are crucial to repel Russia's year-long invasion.
    Slovakia joined Poland, which announced its delivery of the planes on Thursday (March 16). Both the NATO members neighbour Ukraine.
    Its fleet of 11 MiG-29 planes was retired last summer and most of them are not in operational condition. It will send those that are operational and the rest will go for spare parts.
    Slovakia will also supply part of its KUB air-defence system, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said.
    "Today, the government decided and unanimously approved an international agreement (on the donation)," Heger said adding that the process of handing over these fighter jets was closely coordinated with Poland, Ukraine and other allies.
    Slovakia will receive financial compensation the European Union. It has also reached an agreement with the United States on deliveries of military material worth around $700 million, Heger said.
    Slovakia ordered F-16 fighter jets from the United States in 2018 to replace the ageing MiG-29 planes. The first U.S.-made planes are expected to arrive in 2024 after a delay.
    NATO allies in the former communist east such as Poland and Slovakia have been particularly vocal supporters of Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
    (Production: Thomas Holdstock)
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