Largest modernization project
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- Date: 29.10.2014
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The SVK Ministry of Defence and representatives of the Italian company Alenia Aermacchi signed an agreement on the delivery of two Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft. “After 20 years this is the first real and at the same time most extensive modernization project in the history of the Armed Forces. We have succeeded in doing what others only talked about in the past,” said SVK Minister of Defence. “Finally, we are witnessing the start of one of the most decisive modernization initiatives,” added the Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Milan Maxim. “Defence co-operation between Italy and Slovakia has a long, consolidated tradition,” remarked H.E. Mr Roberto Martini, the Italian Ambassador to Slovakia, after signing the agreement.
Discussions on purchasing new transport aircraft for the SVK Armed Forces began as early as 2006, after the tragic air disaster involving an An-24 transport aircraft occurred close to the Hungarian village of Hejce. In 2008, public bidding was organized to cater for the requirements of the SVK Armed Forces. Even the Radičová government cast no doubt whatsoever on the need to acquire new tactical transport aircraft. This was also confirmed in the strategic documents of the SVK MOD. Recently, the current MOD officials negotiated a better price per piece than originally entered in the competitive bidding for the aircraft. “We’ve come to an agreement with our partner to decrease the price down to EUR 34.5 million,” said the head of the SVK MOD, Martin Glváč. The purchase of the Spartan aircraft was made possible largely thanks to consolidation, better management, and more efficient public spending.
The aircraft will be paid in instalments entirely from the SVK MOD’s resources. Under the agreed scheme, the aircraft will have been paid by 2016. “Both aircraft will be fully paid upon delivery. We are not shifting the burden onto other governments,” added the Minister of Defence. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2016, the second one in 2017.
The purchase of the C-27J Spartan aircraft is being conducted in conformity with the SVK Air Force Development Concept, which had been reviewed by a wide range of experts, most notably, military aviation professionals, former MOD officials, representatives of opposition parties, and public sector specialists. “We held discussions with experts and invited all former commanders of the SVK Air Force and state secretaries of the SVK MOD to voice their opinions,” noted the head of the SVK MOD.
Thanks to the purchase of the C-27J Spartan aircraft, the SVK Armed Forces will not lose their air transport capabilities. One of the advantages will be the aircraft’s permanent availability and deployment in time and to the extent as required by actual developments for the purposes of both domestic and international crisis management operations. The incorporation of the Spartan tactical transport aircraft into the inventory of the Armed Forces will enable the SVK Air Force to operate advanced medium-range transport aircraft. “In terms of performance, capacity, economy, and especially flight safety, this medium-range transport capability will be up to a much higher standard, one that meets the requirements of modern armed forces as well as the needs of Slovak citizens in crisis situations,” said Lt Gen Milan Maxim. The C-27J Spartan aircraft are designed for transporting equipment, materiel, personnel, as well as conducting fire-fighting missions.
Discussions on purchasing new transport aircraft for the SVK Armed Forces began as early as 2006, after the tragic air disaster involving an An-24 transport aircraft occurred close to the Hungarian village of Hejce. In 2008, public bidding was organized to cater for the requirements of the SVK Armed Forces. Even the Radičová government cast no doubt whatsoever on the need to acquire new tactical transport aircraft. This was also confirmed in the strategic documents of the SVK MOD. Recently, the current MOD officials negotiated a better price per piece than originally entered in the competitive bidding for the aircraft. “We’ve come to an agreement with our partner to decrease the price down to EUR 34.5 million,” said the head of the SVK MOD, Martin Glváč. The purchase of the Spartan aircraft was made possible largely thanks to consolidation, better management, and more efficient public spending.
The aircraft will be paid in instalments entirely from the SVK MOD’s resources. Under the agreed scheme, the aircraft will have been paid by 2016. “Both aircraft will be fully paid upon delivery. We are not shifting the burden onto other governments,” added the Minister of Defence. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2016, the second one in 2017.
The purchase of the C-27J Spartan aircraft is being conducted in conformity with the SVK Air Force Development Concept, which had been reviewed by a wide range of experts, most notably, military aviation professionals, former MOD officials, representatives of opposition parties, and public sector specialists. “We held discussions with experts and invited all former commanders of the SVK Air Force and state secretaries of the SVK MOD to voice their opinions,” noted the head of the SVK MOD.
Thanks to the purchase of the C-27J Spartan aircraft, the SVK Armed Forces will not lose their air transport capabilities. One of the advantages will be the aircraft’s permanent availability and deployment in time and to the extent as required by actual developments for the purposes of both domestic and international crisis management operations. The incorporation of the Spartan tactical transport aircraft into the inventory of the Armed Forces will enable the SVK Air Force to operate advanced medium-range transport aircraft. “In terms of performance, capacity, economy, and especially flight safety, this medium-range transport capability will be up to a much higher standard, one that meets the requirements of modern armed forces as well as the needs of Slovak citizens in crisis situations,” said Lt Gen Milan Maxim. The C-27J Spartan aircraft are designed for transporting equipment, materiel, personnel, as well as conducting fire-fighting missions.
