BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) – Slovakia’s Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad says the United States will deploy a Patriot air defence system in his country next week.
Friday’s announcement came shortly after Slovakia donated its Soviet-era S-300 air defence system to Ukraine at its request. Nad previously said his country was willing to provide its S-300 long-range air defence missile system to Ukraine on condition it has a proper replacement.
Additionally, Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to send troops armed with Patriot missiles to Slovakia as part of a 2,100-strong force made up of soldiers from several NATO members states, including the US.
The force will form a battlegroup on Slovak territory to boost NATO defences on the alliance’s eastern flank.