Ministry of Defence statement on F-16 fighter jet procurement audit report by Supreme Audit Office
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 25.06.2021
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
While still as an opposition politician, Defence Minister Naď pointed to the lack of expert consultations before the award of the contractor for supersonic tactical fighter jets for the Slovak Air Force.
As a matter of fact, the former SVK Government decided to procure 14 pieces of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets without any involvement of the Slovak defence industry in this most extensive modernisation project in the history of the Slovak Armed Forces, which is exceptionally non-standard and disadvantageous for Slovakia.
The Ministry of Defence takes note of the F-16 Fighter Jet Procurement Programme Audit Report released by the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic. Admittedly, the report's conclusions cannot have any impact on the contract signed by the Pellegrini Administration.
Nevertheless, the MOD leadership has renegotiated the schedule of payments with the US side, allowing for an extended payment period without any additional payment increases, and has been in negotiation on other measures related to cutting the overall costs and giving the SVK defence industry a role in the acquisition and operation of the F-16 fighter jets.
In its released audit report, the Supreme Audit Office has established that the Public Procurement Act was not breached in the MOD's F-16 fighter jet procurement process. The MOD undertakes to apply the conclusions and recommendations by the Supreme Audit Office in its future modernisation programmes.
As a matter of fact, the former SVK Government decided to procure 14 pieces of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets without any involvement of the Slovak defence industry in this most extensive modernisation project in the history of the Slovak Armed Forces, which is exceptionally non-standard and disadvantageous for Slovakia.
The Ministry of Defence takes note of the F-16 Fighter Jet Procurement Programme Audit Report released by the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic. Admittedly, the report's conclusions cannot have any impact on the contract signed by the Pellegrini Administration.
Nevertheless, the MOD leadership has renegotiated the schedule of payments with the US side, allowing for an extended payment period without any additional payment increases, and has been in negotiation on other measures related to cutting the overall costs and giving the SVK defence industry a role in the acquisition and operation of the F-16 fighter jets.
In its released audit report, the Supreme Audit Office has established that the Public Procurement Act was not breached in the MOD's F-16 fighter jet procurement process. The MOD undertakes to apply the conclusions and recommendations by the Supreme Audit Office in its future modernisation programmes.
