SVK Armed Forces have temporarily grounded their Mi-17 helicopter fleet

The SVK Armed Forces have temporarily grounded their fleet of Mi-17 helicopters. However, in the coming days one of the helicopters is expected to be operational again for the purposes of the Air Search and Rescue (SAR) Service. It will be available for the SAR missions as soon as it has been test-flown. Test flying is required each time prescribed work on the aircraft has been carried out. For security reasons, the other Mi-17 helicopters will be thoroughly checked before they are put back into service. The SVK Air Force is keeping its ground SAR teams and UH-60M Black Hawks on stand-by in case of emergency. The SAR missions are now being provided in line with the Mutual Cooperation Agreement on Aircraft Searches and Assistance in Rescue Operations in the Event of Air Disaster by the SVK Interior Ministry-operated helicopters. The MOD will provide more information once all the checks have been completed. The flight safety of our pilots and crews has always been No. 1 priority for the SVK MOD.