Following the evaluation results from the MOD experts, the MOD recommends that one (1) mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM-M) system be procured from the State of Israel through a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement under Stage 1 of the Slovak Air Defence Capability Programme. The best offer from Israel was followed by the offers from Germany and France.
The MOD also recommends that the very short-range man-portable/crew-served air defence (MANPAD/CREWPAD) systems be procured from Poland via a G2G agreement. The best offer from Poland was followed by the offers from Sweden, France and South Korea.
Today, the MOD has referred the proposal to the Ministry of Finance’s Value for Money Office for consideration. Subsequently, the document along with the recommended solution will be submitted to the SVK government for a final approval decision.
If talks with the selected states are unsuccessful, the MOD will lead negotiations with the countries next on the list according to the final bidders’ ranking.
As State Secretary of the SVK MOD Marian Majer reminds us, securing Slovakia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) has been among the shortages in our country’s defence capabilities in the long run. “It holds true that thanks to our allies, we have the opportunity to address this need to our satisfaction, even in view of the value that we can get for the resources available. The proposed solution reflects the specific needs of our Armed Forces and our country,” State Secretary Marian Majer said.
Director General of the MOD Modernisation Department and National Armaments Director Michal Homza said: “Based on our lessons learned from the ongoing conflict, Slovakia and many other allied states must urgently address the need to develop their Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capabilities. Therefore, this situation places additional demands on existing production capacities, which results in higher prices and longer delivery periods. For these reasons, it is inevitable for Slovakia to make this decision as soon as possible.”
According to the winning bids, the overall procurement costs for the two types of AD systems, initially estimated at €196,450,677 (including VAT), stand at €193,985,880 (including VAT). The VSHORAD & MRAD systems are set to be delivered into service with the Slovak Armed Forces from 2024 to 2027. The final approval decision on the best solution now rests with the SVK government.
Source: Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
