Gripens for Slovak Air Force

[Tintin]

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/24476/53/

Slovakia is considering ordering Swedish JAS-39 Gripen jets to replace its fleet of Russian MiG-29s, local media reported Wednesday.

Although U.S. F-16 remains an option, the Slovak Defense Ministry appears to be inclined toward Gripen, because the European jet is cheaper and less demanding in maintenance, said the SME newspaper.

Another factor favoring Gripen is Slovakia's plan to create a joint squadron with the neighboring Czech Republic, which has rented 14 Gripens for nine years and is preparing to extend the contract, it said.

[Stratofreighter]

http://spectator.sme.sk/c/20056610/slov ... hters.html

19. Mar 2015 at 13:53

IN ITS effort to boost defence capabilities, Slovakia is set to begin official talks on the rental of Gripen jet fighters from Sweden,
with the Slovak government assigning the task to Defence Minister Martin Glváč at its regular session on March 18.

Glváč envisaged the beginning of the negotiations back in late January.
The government maintains, as quoted by the TASR newswire, that Sweden is the only country to offer Slovakia an option whereby it could rent flying hours.
Details of the costs and number of Gripens to be used in Slovakia are still to be elaborated during the talks.

The Slovak Armed Forces currently have Mig-29 jet fighters at their disposal,
the contract for which will expire in 2016.
According to Glváč, Slovakia cannot afford to purchase new fighter jets.
The Czech Republic is also renting Gripen aircraft from Sweden.

Glváč also said, as quoted by SITA, that there is still the possibility to continue with current jet fighters for which the license ends in November 2016,
or Slovakia might agree with some ally on the protection of air space.