One of the batteries of the Patriot missile defence system will be withdrawn from Slovakia, the Defence Ministry told TASR on Monday. At the same time, the number of Dutch soldiers in the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Slovakia will be reduced. The Defence Ministry talks about a natural decision based on the evaluation of the security situation in Slovakia and in the region, as well as on the adoption of plenty of other measures that have led to the strengthening of Slovakia's defence since the beginning of the invasion in Ukraine. The Patriot system battery of the US Armed Forces is still stationed at the Kuchyňa airfield near Malacky. If the situation requires it, the Dutch system can be redeployed to the Slovak Republic immediately, the ministry said. If necessary, the number of Dutch troops can also be increased again. The gradual departure of Dutch equipment and personnel is expected by the ministry from today, Tuesday 11 October.
Source: TASR, Daily SME
