A total of 29 New Military Cars Worth 13.3 mn Handed over to Slovak Soldiers

Nemsova, January 13 (TASR) – Defence Minister Peter Gajdos (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) handed over 29 new military vehicles worth €13.3 million in total to the Slovak Armed Forces in the town of Nemsova (Trencin region) on Friday, TASR learnt on the same day.

According to the defence minister, 17 new Tatra 815 vehicles and 12 Aktis vehicles, which are fully compatible with other NATO member states, form part of the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces.

“I’m convinced that partly in this way the operational capabilities of the Slovak Armed Forces with a focus on a mechanised brigade will increase,” said Gajdos.

“The new military equipment is a good sign. We expect further modernisation projects later this year. The military technology will be distributed to priority units that will carry out major tasks this and the following year,” said Chief of General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces Milan Maxim.

The new equipment, replacing old and often even 50-year-old Praga V3S vehicles, is designed for mechanised battalions in Levice (Nitra region), Nitra and Martin (Zilina region). “Specialised tractors and trailers are designed for combat support units in Presov and Hlohovec (Trnava region) and the fire engine will be sent to the airport in Kuchyna (Bratislava region),” said Maxim, adding that the new vehicles can be used in foreign missions as well.

According to Gajdos, the Defence Ministry, as part of the long-term plan for the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces, wants to also acquire transport aircraft, helicopters, tactical aircraft, 3D radar and armoured vehicles.