Slovakia "Able to Provide S-300 Surface-to-Air Missile Defense System to Ukraine"

Former Soviet Defense System... Support Request from Ukraine
Slovakia Expects Replacement Defense System Support from the US

[Image source= Russian Ministry of Defense]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Slovakia, a member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has announced that it may provide Ukraine with its Soviet-era air defense missile system, the S-300. Slovakia is reportedly planning to discuss this matter with the United States during the visit of the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

According to the Associated Press on the 16th (local time), the Slovak Ministry of Defense stated that it plans to discuss with the U.S. the possibility of providing Ukraine with the S-300 system it possesses. Martina Koval Kakashikova, spokesperson for the Slovak Ministry of Defense, said, "We look forward to discussing the plan to send the S-300 to Ukraine when Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives in Slovakia."

Secretary Austin is scheduled to visit Slovakia on the 17th. Currently touring Europe, Secretary Austin is evaluating and sharing the situation with NATO member countries while discussing ways to expand military supply support. The plan to provide Ukraine with the S-300 is reportedly one of the support options under consideration.

The S-300 is a surface-to-air missile system developed by the former Soviet Union, capable of intercepting fighter jets and cruise missiles. Ukraine expects that if additional S-300 systems are introduced, it will be able to protect its cities from Russian air raids and missile attacks. Among NATO member countries, Slovakia, Greece, and Bulgaria are known to possess the S-300 system.

Slovakia is requesting that the United States provide an air defense system in exchange for supplying the S-300 to Ukraine. Spokesperson Kakashikova emphasized, "We can provide the S-300 system to Ukraine, but we cannot remove the system that protects our airspace unless there is a replacement system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.