Slovakia and Germany sign agreement on military equipment

The state secretaries of the Slovak and German Defence Ministries on Tuesday signed an agreement to bolster military cooperation between Bratislava and Berlin, according to which Slovakia will receive fifteen Leopard 2A4 tanks along with ammunition, spare parts and crew training from Germany in exchange for giving Ukraine its 30 Soviet-era BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) reported at a press conference on the same day. Nad noted that the deal will significantly strengthen Slovakia’s combat and defence capabilities, as well as reducing its dependence on Russia by getting rid of old Soviet equipment. He added that the modern Leopard tanks are currently in use by 18 allied countries, which will enable cooperation.