Minister Naď speaks to Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz by video call, they discuss procurement of new 3D radars for SVK Air Force

Today Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď spoke to Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz by video call. The aim of the conversation was to launch the processes needed for the procurement of new 3D medium, short and very short range radars which the MOD plans to buy on the basis of the Government-approved mandate through a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement with the State of Israel.

With his Israeli colleague, Defence Minister Naď shared his vision for the G2G procedure and conditions. “At last there is a concrete answer to the long-unanswered question about the protection of Slovak airspace. We've received the mandate to go ahead with this project and I believe that in the coming weeks we will bring the negotiations on the necessary conditions and further steps directed towards reaching the final agreement to a successful end,” said Minister Naď, noting that both sides declared their readiness to begin work on specific areas of the contract.

Mr Naď added that if an agreement in accordance with the Government-approved mandate is not reached by 31 March 2021, the MOD will enter into negotiations with other countries that placed next in line after the winning bidder as part of the international G2G competition.

The head of the MOD informed Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz about the work timeframe and the readiness to begin work on individual areas in preparation of the contract. He also outlined the basic requirements and conditions, including the timeline for delivery, the role of the SVK defence industry, and the investments to be made by Slovakia in connection with the procurement project.

The SVK Government agreed with the MOD's proposal to procure 17 pieces of 3D radars through a G2G agreement with the State of Israel. It did so after accepting the most advantageous offer that came first out of the international competition on the merit of the procurement price, the SVK defence industry's collaboration throughout the entire life cycle of the radars, and its compliance with the technical and operational requirements of the Slovak Armed Forces.