MOD hosts another meeting with local authorities to present facts and plans for Sliač Air Base

Today (22 February 2022), the U.S.-SVK Defense Cooperation Agreement was the theme of the latest of a series of meetings with representatives of municipalities. Once again, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď presented facts to the gathered mayors and heads of municipalities, rejected disinformation, and asked for action to engage with citizens responsibly.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “I am truly determined to inform, explain and discuss peacefully and repeatedly, but I expect local authorities to be mindful of their role in delivering defence and security and to explain this theme to our citizens. There is no sense in backing away before baseless untruths and participating in the spread of fear and lies. I think today we have agreed on this point. We have had truly constructive talks.”

Unlike some irresponsible politicians who lie to and scare people, he provided the municipality leaders with detailed information based on facts. He reminded that the DCA is neither related to the purchase of F-16 fighter jets, which was concluded in 2018, nor to the refurbishment works to Sliač Air Base.

For the full complexity of the issue, he repeated: “There will be no American bases, no weapons of mass destruction, no road closures between Banská Bystrica and Sliač, no seizures of private property – so be sure to watch out as all these themes are fondly misused by extremists and liars.“ He went on to reassure those present at the meeting that the MOD is taking steps in line with legislation and the security and interests of this country and hence its citizens.

Director General of the MOD's Property and Infrastructure Department Ján Bučan and Deputy Chief of Defence Lt Gen Ľubomír Svoboda briefed the audience in detail on the specific modernisation projects to be carried out by the MOD at Sliač Air Base. The MOD is set to invest over €100m in the airfield refurbishment.

The refurbishment works will include constructing new airfield operating surfaces, a substation, and entrance gates. In addition, the airport surveillance radar will be replaced as early as this year. The MOD wants to stress that all the projects, whether planned or in progress, will also support civilian operations at Sliač Airport. In support of local residents, measures will be put in place, such as acoustic noise barriers and a new access road to ease traffic in the town of Sliač.

Under Phase 1 upgrade works, 14 projects will be carried out through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), 11 projects through the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) and 8 projects within the MOD's remit. Under Phase 2 upgrade works scheduled for 2026 - 2030, another 11 projects will be completed.

The mayors and heads of municipalities appreciated the intense discussion with Minister Naď who took and answered all the questions frankly and transparently, as much as they welcomed the MOD's intense communications and presentation of the Sliač Airport Refurbishment Project. Mayor of Sliač Ľubica Balgová put forward a proposal to set up a working group to deal with this issue, which was backed by the municipality leaders. The MOD sees the proposal as a good step forward.