US Offers $1 Billion Military Package to Slovakia, Including 12 Viper Helicopters and Hellfire Missiles: Compensation or Strategic Move?

The United States, in a display of goodwill and compensation, has tendered Slovakia with an offer for 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters, accompanied by over 500 modern AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Additionally, the US has expressed a willingness to prepare Slovak pilots and personnel to operate the aircraft. This proposal, which would significantly enhance Slovakia’s defense capabilities, was announced by Slovakia’s Defense Minister, Jaroslav Naď, on March 21.

The total cost of this military package is estimated to be around $1 billion, with Slovakia set to pay $340 million from its planned defense budget. The remaining $660 million, however, would be provided through the US government’s defense fund. Interestingly, if Slovakia declines the proposal, the Viper helicopters will be offered to other countries that have shown interest in them.

Defense Minister Naď highlighted that this offer was made as a form of compensation for delays in delivering F-16 fighter jets to Slovakia. The delay in delivering American aircraft has been attributed to the inadequate supply of electronic equipment faced by manufacturing companies. Nonetheless, the Defense Minister deemed the offer to be highly beneficial for Slovakia, given the $660 million provided through the US government’s defense fund.

Apart from the financial compensation, Slovakia will also receive €200 million in cash from the European Peace Fund for the MiG-29 jets and €50 million for the “Kub” system supplied to Ukraine. It is worth noting that the transfer of Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets and “Kub” air defense systems to Ukraine was approved by Slovakia on March 17. Military officials have indicated that these fighter jets are currently not being used by the Slovak military.

On March 21, Yuriy Ignat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, stated that the decision of Poland and Slovakia to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets has resolved the key issue of supplying Ukrainian armed forces with western combat aviation. This decision marks a significant step forward for Ukraine’s military forces.