Minister Gajdoš to initiate penal action against an unknown offender for spreading a hoax about Mi-17 helicopters
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 26.02.2018
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš is to initiate penal action against an unknown offender for spreading a hoax about the SVK Air Force Mi-17 helicopters, to be exact, for the claims that the defence capability of the Slovak Republic has been threatened. He categorically denies the accusations reported in the media. “Once again the good reputation of the Armed Forces and the MOD has been seriously damaged. There should be limits to everything, including political wrangling,” he said at today’s press conference at SVK MOD Main Building.
He emphasised that as the Minister of Defence he is seriously concerned about the people who constantly mislead the public and damage the good reputation of the Armed Forces, the people who will not shrink from casting doubt on the defence capability of our country. “Some have become too much used to putting out any bait, false information, half-truth in the media space and there are media outlets which are ready to cast doubt on just anything related to the functioning of the Armed Forces, because they have their red eyes overstrained from focusing on soldiers and the Slovak National Party. I repeat once again that political wrangling must have its limits and I refuse to gamble with the defence capability of this State,” said Head of the MOD.
Minister Gajdoš underlined that the execution of SAR missions over the period the SVK Air Force SAR helicopter could not be airborne for the purposes of the Air Search and Rescue Service was provided by other air assets. In the event of air disaster, SVK Interior Ministry helicopters were on stand-by to perform SAR missions. Moreover, the SVK Air Force put its SAR ground teams from its air bases and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on stand-by to assist in emergencies. The defence of the Slovak Republic was and has always been guaranteed 24/7 under the leadership of the current Minister of Defence and the Slovak National Party (SNS).
Head of the MOD emphasised that every piece of serious information must be subject to inquiry, to prevent it from creating chaos, spreading lies, and exploiting the situation for political gain. “If there is any information about the Armed Forces that needs to be verified, we will always do it, because it is our duty in the interest of security, which is of primary importance to us,” emphasised the Minister. He called on those who have any information to support the assertion that the defence capability of the State is under threat to come forward and report it to law enforcement agencies. “You can also get in touch with me directly, I can assure you all that your complaint will not remain unanswered and that I will have it properly checked.”
As he further noted, we cannot make conclusions unless and until a proper inquiry into the circumstances has been conducted, conclusions cannot be based on assumptions and false reports, but only on verified facts. In the military there are procedures that must be followed, including information classification, and we cannot discuss details of the checks being carried out at this moment. Just as the MOD proceeded with the inquiry into the munitions depots, the public will also be updated on this enquiry once we have the results available, whether or not the discrepancies in the provision of the engines in the years 2006 – 2015 are established.
General Secretary of the MOD Service Office Ján Hoľko explained that the Military Aviation State Authority is the only body to be entrusted with the task of assessing the airworthiness of military aircraft. “If there is any sign of breach in the preparation, maintenance and operation of aircraft, it is obliged to order a temporary halt of operations and to look into all the circumstances. Because flight safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said.
He emphasised that as the Minister of Defence he is seriously concerned about the people who constantly mislead the public and damage the good reputation of the Armed Forces, the people who will not shrink from casting doubt on the defence capability of our country. “Some have become too much used to putting out any bait, false information, half-truth in the media space and there are media outlets which are ready to cast doubt on just anything related to the functioning of the Armed Forces, because they have their red eyes overstrained from focusing on soldiers and the Slovak National Party. I repeat once again that political wrangling must have its limits and I refuse to gamble with the defence capability of this State,” said Head of the MOD.
Minister Gajdoš underlined that the execution of SAR missions over the period the SVK Air Force SAR helicopter could not be airborne for the purposes of the Air Search and Rescue Service was provided by other air assets. In the event of air disaster, SVK Interior Ministry helicopters were on stand-by to perform SAR missions. Moreover, the SVK Air Force put its SAR ground teams from its air bases and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on stand-by to assist in emergencies. The defence of the Slovak Republic was and has always been guaranteed 24/7 under the leadership of the current Minister of Defence and the Slovak National Party (SNS).
Head of the MOD emphasised that every piece of serious information must be subject to inquiry, to prevent it from creating chaos, spreading lies, and exploiting the situation for political gain. “If there is any information about the Armed Forces that needs to be verified, we will always do it, because it is our duty in the interest of security, which is of primary importance to us,” emphasised the Minister. He called on those who have any information to support the assertion that the defence capability of the State is under threat to come forward and report it to law enforcement agencies. “You can also get in touch with me directly, I can assure you all that your complaint will not remain unanswered and that I will have it properly checked.”
As he further noted, we cannot make conclusions unless and until a proper inquiry into the circumstances has been conducted, conclusions cannot be based on assumptions and false reports, but only on verified facts. In the military there are procedures that must be followed, including information classification, and we cannot discuss details of the checks being carried out at this moment. Just as the MOD proceeded with the inquiry into the munitions depots, the public will also be updated on this enquiry once we have the results available, whether or not the discrepancies in the provision of the engines in the years 2006 – 2015 are established.
General Secretary of the MOD Service Office Ján Hoľko explained that the Military Aviation State Authority is the only body to be entrusted with the task of assessing the airworthiness of military aircraft. “If there is any sign of breach in the preparation, maintenance and operation of aircraft, it is obliged to order a temporary halt of operations and to look into all the circumstances. Because flight safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said.
