The Ministry of Defense wants to buy tracked equipment and armored vehicles for more than 2 billion euros – PRAVDA.sk

In connection with the purchase of tracked equipment and armored combat vehicles (BOV) 8×8, the Ministry of Defense approached with requests for offers from 33 countries.

Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď (OĽaNO)

The estimated price of 152 pieces of tracked equipment is 1.739 billion euros with VAT and for 76 pieces of combat armored vehicles it is 332 million euros. Minister of State Marian Majer informed about it on Thursday.

“The process is quite ambitious in time. Today, the consultation process begins based on the requirements that have been distributed, “Majer explained. Offers for 8 × 8 are expected by the ministry by the end of the year, for belt technology by the end of January.

For each project, it then selects the three best bids and the vehicles are tested. Projects should be submitted to the government by the end of March in the case of BOV and by the end of June in the case of belt technology.

The technical specifications have a weight of 30 percent, a price of 35 percent, logistical support ten percent and the involvement of the Slovak defense industry in the evaluation of bids.

“At the same time, the government has approved that the involvement of Slovak industry in the total acquisition price should be at least 40 percent,” Majer pointed out. The aim is to create long-term assistance to Slovak industry. The Ministries of Economy and Finance will therefore be involved in the selection.

The commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Pach, explained that the project should change all the combat equipment that the ground forces have. These are obsolete infantry fighting vehicles. In addition, the ground forces will receive an 8 × 8 BOV. “We will have five battalions with modern combat equipment. At the same time, we will gain flexibility, as we will have tracked and wheeled vehicles, “he said, adding that tank technology will also need to be addressed in the future.

Majer emphasized that such vehicles are the basis of any army. “We need a lot more of those vehicles. We are going in such a way that we are sure that it is financing, “he explained. Providing armaments for a heavy mechanized brigade is also part of NATO’s capability objectives.