Visit to the United States
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 10.12.2015
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
Cooperation in the field of defence, defence expenditures, the fight against terrorism and the service of our soldiers in Afghanistan – such were the topical themes of the negotiations between SVK Minister of Defence Martin Glváč and the U.S. Deputy Minister of Defence, Robert O. Work. “We highly appreciate joint exercises, namely the participation of more than a hundred servicemen of the Indiana National Guard in our most extensive exercise dubbed Slovak Shield 2015,” stated Minister Glváč on the relations between Slovakia and the U.S., which have become more intense during the past year.
Mr. Work expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Slovak Republic increases defence expenditures as well as with our attitude towards the situation in Ukraine. Minister Glváč informed him on the replacement of equipment and the financing of modernization projects which are being carried out beyond the MOD’s budget. They also discussed our assistance offered to France to fight terrorism and the new NATO Counter Intelligence Centre of Excellence (NATO CI COE), which is being established in Slovakia.
At the meeting with the Deputy Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Jennifer Zakriski, Minister Glváč held talks about the delivery of new Black Hawk Helicopters for the SVK Armed Forces and the preparation of Slovak pilots: “The training of Slovak pilots in the U.S. will start in January 2016. The trainees will have to pledge to stay in our armed forces as for the training costs will be of considerable amount.”
Within the negotiations, current security challenges and the fight against terrorism were discussed as well. For the Slovak Republic, the priority in this field is the development of capabilities and the armament of Special Forces, for which the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program – employed for the purchase of the Black Hawk Helicopters – may be used in the near future. One of the goals of the visit was to sign the Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of the USA and the Government of the Slovak Republic Regarding Reciprocal Government Quality Assurance Services. The Memorandum will increase the interoperability of equipment used in the armed forces of both countries, decrease the price and hasten the process of reciprocal acceptance of certificates.
The Slovak Minister also visited the manufacturer of UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters – Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. “After visiting the governmental agency DSCA, I can assure you that the delivery periods will be met. The SVK AF pilots may get the first two helicopters even sooner,” he stated. The SVK MOD and Sikorsky Corporation signed a Framework Agreement on Cooperation, which defines areas of joint interest in carrying out projects related to the introduction of new American helicopters into the inventory of the SVK Armed Forces after 2016. “Two most prospective areas are the construction of a training facility for UH-60M helicopters in Slovakia and the possibility to use repair and maintenance capacities of the Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín for part of the technical maintenance of the new helicopters. Over the next months, based on the agreement, Sikorsky Corporation will hold negotiations with relevant partners of the Slovak defence industry,” briefed Minister Glváč.
The simulator is necessary for the training of helicopter pilots and its establishment in Slovakia will bring additional financial resources since its vacant capacities could be potentially offered to other countries in the region. Slovakia’s ambition is to become a regional leader in training pilots to fly on this type of helicopter.
Mr. Work expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Slovak Republic increases defence expenditures as well as with our attitude towards the situation in Ukraine. Minister Glváč informed him on the replacement of equipment and the financing of modernization projects which are being carried out beyond the MOD’s budget. They also discussed our assistance offered to France to fight terrorism and the new NATO Counter Intelligence Centre of Excellence (NATO CI COE), which is being established in Slovakia.
At the meeting with the Deputy Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Jennifer Zakriski, Minister Glváč held talks about the delivery of new Black Hawk Helicopters for the SVK Armed Forces and the preparation of Slovak pilots: “The training of Slovak pilots in the U.S. will start in January 2016. The trainees will have to pledge to stay in our armed forces as for the training costs will be of considerable amount.”
Within the negotiations, current security challenges and the fight against terrorism were discussed as well. For the Slovak Republic, the priority in this field is the development of capabilities and the armament of Special Forces, for which the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program – employed for the purchase of the Black Hawk Helicopters – may be used in the near future. One of the goals of the visit was to sign the Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of the USA and the Government of the Slovak Republic Regarding Reciprocal Government Quality Assurance Services. The Memorandum will increase the interoperability of equipment used in the armed forces of both countries, decrease the price and hasten the process of reciprocal acceptance of certificates.
The Slovak Minister also visited the manufacturer of UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters – Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. “After visiting the governmental agency DSCA, I can assure you that the delivery periods will be met. The SVK AF pilots may get the first two helicopters even sooner,” he stated. The SVK MOD and Sikorsky Corporation signed a Framework Agreement on Cooperation, which defines areas of joint interest in carrying out projects related to the introduction of new American helicopters into the inventory of the SVK Armed Forces after 2016. “Two most prospective areas are the construction of a training facility for UH-60M helicopters in Slovakia and the possibility to use repair and maintenance capacities of the Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín for part of the technical maintenance of the new helicopters. Over the next months, based on the agreement, Sikorsky Corporation will hold negotiations with relevant partners of the Slovak defence industry,” briefed Minister Glváč.
The simulator is necessary for the training of helicopter pilots and its establishment in Slovakia will bring additional financial resources since its vacant capacities could be potentially offered to other countries in the region. Slovakia’s ambition is to become a regional leader in training pilots to fly on this type of helicopter.
