Slovakia announced on its official website that it approved plans to purchase six mobile Israeli air defense systems for €554.3 million ($616.88 million).
This acquisition is part of NATO member Slovakia’s initiative to enhance the protection of its airspace.
According to Reuters, Slovakia also agreed to buy over 1,300 heavy vehicles in a joint procurement with the Czech Republic, with costs expected to total €708.3 million.
This move aims to replace older trucks and boost Slovakia’s defense capabilities, especially in light of the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine against Russia since 2022. This enhancement is in line with NATO’s efforts to strengthen its eastern flank.
Last month, Slovakia received the first two of 14 new F-16 fighter jets. The government has not specified which type of defense system will be purchased from Israel in this government-to-government deal.
Amnesty International has called on European Union (EU) member states to halt arms supplies to Israel.
This appeal was made in a letter addressed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, as reported by the German Press Agency (DPA) on Wednesday.
In addition to the arms ban, the human rights organization urged the EU to cease investment and trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, which the International Court of Justice in The Hague recently deemed illegal in a non-binding advisory opinion.
Amnesty International’s call for a stricter EU policy comes ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where the ongoing war in Gaza will be a key topic of discussion.
In a continued escalation of violence, 18 Palestinian citizens have been reported killed with several others injured due to Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas in the Gaza Strip early this morning.
According to Palestinian sources, five citizens were killed and others wounded when Israeli warplanes bombed a house in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.
