Minister hands over helicopters
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- Date: 03.08.2017
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SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš handed over two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to SVK Air Force personnel for use during a handover ceremony in Prešov. They will be stationed at Lt Col Ján Ambruš Helicopter Wing Prešov.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “I am pleased to say that the modernisation of our Air Force has become a reality and that a further 7 helicopters will be added to the first two helicopters in a phased delivery.” As he explained, the rotary aircraft are designed for delivering flight training, support to Land Forces (LF) and Special Operations Forces (SOF) operations, and last but not least the tasks of domestic crisis management. “I trust this is not the end of the Slovak Armed Forces' modernisation. On the contrary, we will continue to modernise the Land Forces in conformity with the Long-Term Defence Development Plan with Emphasis on Building and Developing the SVK Armed Forces, for which I am going to request a mandate from the SVK Government and Parliament.”
Speaking to media in a joint press conference, Deputy Parliamentary Chairman Martin Glváč said: “I would like to thank Mr Minister for inviting me to this event. I am pleased that the first two Black Hawks can already serve our soldiers and that they are the first outcome of our Slovak Air Force Development Concept. I believe that continuity will be ensured and I wish to see the Minister of Defence savour the results of his work as much as I wish to see his successors build on his successful projects.” Under the leadership of Martin Glváč, the MOD had entered into a contractual relationship with the supplier for the purchase of the helicopters as per the mandate given by the then SVK Government.
In his remarks, Deputy Chief of Defence Lt Gen Pavel Macko said that the SVK Armed Forces welcomes that the day has finally come when “substantial modernisation is translating concepts into reality.” He further emphasised: “Our soldiers are taking delivery of most technologically advanced [utility helicopter] platforms that are available at the moment. I trust they will make the best of them to the benefit of Slovak citizens.”
The MOD has purchased the helicopters through the United States Government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and the total purchase price of all 9 helicopters adds up to US$ 261 million. The contract also covers their transportation to the point of delivery. Currently, four fully trained aircrews are available to the SVK Air Force, while others are under training. Within the SVK Armed Forces, six aircrews will have been trained to fly the new helicopters by the end of 2017.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “I am pleased to say that the modernisation of our Air Force has become a reality and that a further 7 helicopters will be added to the first two helicopters in a phased delivery.” As he explained, the rotary aircraft are designed for delivering flight training, support to Land Forces (LF) and Special Operations Forces (SOF) operations, and last but not least the tasks of domestic crisis management. “I trust this is not the end of the Slovak Armed Forces' modernisation. On the contrary, we will continue to modernise the Land Forces in conformity with the Long-Term Defence Development Plan with Emphasis on Building and Developing the SVK Armed Forces, for which I am going to request a mandate from the SVK Government and Parliament.”
Speaking to media in a joint press conference, Deputy Parliamentary Chairman Martin Glváč said: “I would like to thank Mr Minister for inviting me to this event. I am pleased that the first two Black Hawks can already serve our soldiers and that they are the first outcome of our Slovak Air Force Development Concept. I believe that continuity will be ensured and I wish to see the Minister of Defence savour the results of his work as much as I wish to see his successors build on his successful projects.” Under the leadership of Martin Glváč, the MOD had entered into a contractual relationship with the supplier for the purchase of the helicopters as per the mandate given by the then SVK Government.
In his remarks, Deputy Chief of Defence Lt Gen Pavel Macko said that the SVK Armed Forces welcomes that the day has finally come when “substantial modernisation is translating concepts into reality.” He further emphasised: “Our soldiers are taking delivery of most technologically advanced [utility helicopter] platforms that are available at the moment. I trust they will make the best of them to the benefit of Slovak citizens.”
The MOD has purchased the helicopters through the United States Government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and the total purchase price of all 9 helicopters adds up to US$ 261 million. The contract also covers their transportation to the point of delivery. Currently, four fully trained aircrews are available to the SVK Air Force, while others are under training. Within the SVK Armed Forces, six aircrews will have been trained to fly the new helicopters by the end of 2017.
