Slovakia May Sell Self-Propelled Howitzers and Fighters to Ukraine

Slovakia may sell part of its Zuzana self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, the country's Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad has announced, according to Reuters. “I can confirm that we are in talks (about the sale),” Nad said.

The Zuzana 2 howitzer is a modernized version of an older model that uses 155 mm shells and has an effective range of 40-50 km, depending on the type of ammunition.

Interior Minister Roman Mikulec stated that Slovakia could also send MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. According to Nad, Slovakia will soon face challenges in maintaining the MiG-29s as Russian specialists are leaving the country. He added that after retiring the MiGs and before the delivery of American F-16 fighters in 2014, the country's airspace could be secured, for example, by the Americans based in Poland.