F-16 fighter jets will be more expensive

Slovakia's purchase of F-16 fighters will cost more than the €1.6 billion that was announced by the previous government, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď (OĽaNO) stated on Radio Expres discussion shown on Wednesday. Naď added that they had already agreed with the U.S. side on the reallocation of the instalments. The Defence Minister added that the fighter contract also includes pilot training, however, logistics is contracted only for two years and thus must be prolonged. "That acquisition will cost Slovakia in the first ten years well over two billion euros," he said. According to him, the amount needed for the reconstruction of Sliac Airport (Banska Bystrica region) can also double to triple; the previous government estimated the costs at €55 million.