PM: Czechia to help Slovakia in securing its airspace

Starting from September, the Czech Republic will help Slovakia with securing the latter’s airspace, Prime Minister Petr Fiala told Czech Television on Sunday. Slovakia requested the help from the Czech Republic in June, to fill in the period of time during which the country will have to wait before it receives the F-16 combat aircraft it ordered to replace its Mig-29s.

Mr Fiala highlighted that Slovakia borders Ukraine, which is currently the target of Russian aggression, and that the protection of the country’s airspace is also in the interest of the Czech Republic. His Slovak counterpart, Eduard Heger, said he expects Slovakia will need Czech assistance for a period of roughly one year. He also didn’t rule out Slovakia sending its Mig-29s to Ukraine.