In yet another chapter of the “soap opera” about the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine, Slovakia says it could transfer its MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft to the country invaded by Russia.
Last Monday (11), Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said that the country is considering donating its MiG-29 fighter jets of Soviet origin to the neighboring country. Bratislava had previously denied the transfer of aircraft, along with Bulgaria, which also operates Fulcrum.
Poland, after much insistence from the US, even made its entire fleet of MiG-29 available to receive, in exchange, F-16 fighters. However, Washington backtracked and said this move could further escalate the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been grateful for the West's numerous arms donations, but has repeatedly requested the transfer of more advanced fighter jets and anti-aircraft missiles. Last week Slovakia donated its only S-300 long-range anti-aircraft missiles, inherited from the former Czechoslovakia.
Heger says his government wants to move away from reliance on MiGs, as “Cannot sustain” Soviet equipment without a "relationship" with Russia, he told the portal Politico. He also says that the fighters can only be donated to the Ukrainians if the protection of Slovakia's airspace, which is a member of NATO, is guaranteed.
Heger said that Slovakia is in intensive discussions with partner nations about who will carry out the protection of its airspace. “After that we might consider talking about this equipment as well in relation to Ukraine.”
“This is equipment that we want to eliminate anyway, because we are waiting for the F-16”, he said. In 2018, Slovakia signed a US$ 1,6 billion contract for the purchase of 14 F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighters from the USA, the most advanced version of the most used hunting model in the world.
The aircraft, however, will arrive in 2024 with at least a year of delay. Lockheed Martin, the maker of the planes, says its production line has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the worldwide shortage of microchips.
The Slovak Air Force operates around 12 MiG-29 fighters, 10 of which are combat units and two for training. However, the prime minister did not mention the number of planes that could be transferred to the country.
