Slovakia is to begin official talks on the rental of flying hours in Gripen jet fighters with Sweden. The Government assigned the task to Defence Minister Martin Glváč. Glváč envisaged the beginning of the negotiations back in late January. The Government maintains that Sweden is the only country to offer Slovakia a deal through which it could rent flying hours. Details of the costs and number of Gripen jet fighters to be used in Slovakia are still to be worked out 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 Minister Glváč, Slovakia can't afford to purchase new fighter jets.
Katarína Richterová, Photo: AP/SITA
