Defence Ministry: basic price for Black Hawks not €450 M

The price for the purchase of nine American Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60M military helicopters will not equal $450 million (€395 million), as reported on Friday (February 20) by the US Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA), as the exact figure will stem from negotiations, TASR was told by Defence Ministry spokesperson Martina Balleková on Saturday. In January, the ministry estimated the price to sit in the neighbourhood of $348 million USD (€305 million). "The published sum that was greenlighted by the American Government represents the maximum framework of the prepared Foreign Military Sales programme, which has been submitted for approval to the relevant Congress committee and includes also additional potential requirements from Slovak side in the future", said Balleková, adding that this could concern extended trainings or additional helicopter modifications, for instance. "The sum does in no way represent the price of basic contract, therefore". The purchase of helicopters from US must still be approved by the Slovak Security Council and the Government. Defence Minister Martin Glváč has informed members of the parliamentary Defence Committee about the offer and consent from the US Congress is a prerequisite as well. Only then can talks between the two Governments be launched, said Balleková.