Talks with US Deputy under Secretary of Defence

Defence Minister Martin Sklenar held talks with US Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Sasha Baker in Washington on Thursday, praising the high level of US-Slovak bilateral cooperation in defence. According to the minister, the USA is a key partner for Slovakia in modernising its army. In this vein, Sklenar pointed to the ongoing procurement of F-16 fighter aircraft, the acquisition of UH-60 helicopters, plus other projects in the field of armaments financed from US aid funds. The Americans praised Slovakia's political and practical support for Ukraine. Sklenar declared readiness to continue to provide targeted and sustained assistance to Kiev. Slovakia is currently identifying opportunities for cooperation with the Ukrainian defence industry in the field of demining equipment, while processes related to increasing the capacity of Slovak companies to produce artillery ammunition, which Ukraine urgently needs, are ongoing.