The Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) consider procuring 3D air defense radar systems from a range of suppliers – including the United States of America.

Slovakia plans to procure 17 3D air defense radar systems for EUR155 million ($179 million).

According to a news release, the MoD has completed the evaluation phase of the submitted official proposals in response to the SVK radar systems replacement Request for Government Proposals (RGP).

Based on the RGPs, the MOD received offers from 10 countries: France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

A project team, consisting of subject matter specialists from the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff, and the country Air Force with responsibility for frequency bands, operation of radar systems, surface-based air defence (SBAD), logistics, legislation, procurement, and finance, have evaluated all aspects of the submitted offers in terms of technical and operational specifications, price offers, delivery schedules, NATO interoperability, training, logistics, and the MoD defense industryʼs  role in the modernization programme. Of the submitted offers, the G2G proposals from the Governments of the French Republic, the State of Israel, and the United States of America have been evaluated as the most advantageous solutions.

At the same time, the proposal from the USA turned out to be one of the most interesting for the Slovak Armed Forces.

As part of the next phase of the procedure, the MOD will enter into bilateral negotiations with representatives of the countries on the 3D radar systems replacement shortlist. At the same time, consultations will be held with respective NATO agencies on the integration of the 3D radars into Alliance systems, as well as with the Value of Money Unit, of the Ministry of Finance, to make sure that financial resources are invested to the best effect.

As a result of the Governmentʼs decision of July 2018, a Draft Government-to-Government Agreement for Implementation of “Slovak Air Force (Medium, Short, and Very Short Range) Radar Systems Replacement”, detailing precise technical specifications of individual radar systems based on the requirements of the Armed Forces, a delivery schedule, and a feasibility study compatible with the objects and purposes of the Public Investment Project Evaluation Framework, will be presented to the Slovak Government no later than 30 June 2019.