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Slovakia in talks with Sweden to discuss use of Gripen jets

Xinhua, January 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Slovak Defense Ministry has officially launched talks with Sweden on renting flight hours of Swedish Gripen jet fighters, confirmed Slovak Defense Minister Martin Glvac after meeting his Swedish counterpart Peter Hultqvist on Friday.

"I would call this day a milestone in negotiations on the technical, legislative and financial options for carrying out this project," pointed out Glvac, adding that Sweden offered the most well-balanced variant in the form of renting flight hours.

Glvac conceded that other alternatives are still being considered, however.

Details of the cost of potential flight hours rental and the number of Gripen jet fighters to be used in Slovakia remain to be worked out, with specific figures set to emerge from the talks.

"The price shouldn't be significantly higher than what we pay today for operating our current aircraft," said Glvac.

The Slovak air force needs approximately 1,200 flight hours per year to carry out its tasks.

The Slovak Army currently has Mig-29 jet fighters at its disposal, the contract for which will expire in 2016.

According to Glvac, Slovakia cannot afford to purchase new fighter jets. The Czech Republic is also renting Gripen aircraft from Sweden, and the two countries hope to conduct joint defense of Czech-Slovak airspace. Endit