Minister Gajdoš meets U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis for talks in Prague
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 28.10.2018
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš met with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis for talks in Prague today (28 October). They met in the Czech Republic as part of the centenary celebrations of the birth of Czechoslovakia.
Topics of discussion included Slovakiaʼs modernization programmes, commitments vis-à-vis NATO and hike in defence spending. On the modernization of the SVK military, the first four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters have already entered service with the SVK Air Force. Moreover, earlier this summer the SVK Cabinet made a strategic decision giving the green light to the purchase of the U.S. F-16 fighter jet fleet.
On the SVK-U.S. defence relationship, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “The United States of America is our strategic partner and the decision to modernise our tactical combat squadron with the U.S. F-16 fighter aircraft has strengthened our defence relationship. Today talks are still underway on the final form of the contract. I highly appreciate that the Slovak Cabinet have identified themselves with our proposal and that they have adopted the decision to buy these state-of-the-art jets.”
The Minister updated the U.S. Secretary of Defense on further modernization programmes proceeding in line with the 2030 Defence Modernization Plan, with focus on 3D RL medium, short and very short radars and ground assets.
U.S. Secretary of Defense J. Mattis was interested in the progress of the F-16 fighter jets purchase contract. At the same time, he confirmed that, as per the contract, the United States is ready to train SVK pilots and ground technicians. He appreciated Slovakiaʼs hike in defence spending, with the defence budget rising to 1.73 per cent of GDP next year, which represents a year-to-year increase of over €500.000.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense said:“ You are a proof of the fact that a small country can bring big news.”
Both leaders also discussed the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, the common State of Czechs and Slovaks.
Topics of discussion included Slovakiaʼs modernization programmes, commitments vis-à-vis NATO and hike in defence spending. On the modernization of the SVK military, the first four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters have already entered service with the SVK Air Force. Moreover, earlier this summer the SVK Cabinet made a strategic decision giving the green light to the purchase of the U.S. F-16 fighter jet fleet.
On the SVK-U.S. defence relationship, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “The United States of America is our strategic partner and the decision to modernise our tactical combat squadron with the U.S. F-16 fighter aircraft has strengthened our defence relationship. Today talks are still underway on the final form of the contract. I highly appreciate that the Slovak Cabinet have identified themselves with our proposal and that they have adopted the decision to buy these state-of-the-art jets.”
The Minister updated the U.S. Secretary of Defense on further modernization programmes proceeding in line with the 2030 Defence Modernization Plan, with focus on 3D RL medium, short and very short radars and ground assets.
U.S. Secretary of Defense J. Mattis was interested in the progress of the F-16 fighter jets purchase contract. At the same time, he confirmed that, as per the contract, the United States is ready to train SVK pilots and ground technicians. He appreciated Slovakiaʼs hike in defence spending, with the defence budget rising to 1.73 per cent of GDP next year, which represents a year-to-year increase of over €500.000.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense said:“ You are a proof of the fact that a small country can bring big news.”
Both leaders also discussed the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, the common State of Czechs and Slovaks.
