Slovakia's air defences to be strengthened by a SAMP/T tactical air defence system from Italy
Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic
14.03.2023
At Kuchyňa Air Base, home to the Slovak Air Force's 46 Wing, the installation of an Italian SAMP/T tactical air defence system is being completed to replace the U.S. Patriot missile system at the operational site. The entire Air Defence (AD) Battery rotation is taking place without disrupting the continuity of strengthening Slovakia's air defences in any way.
As much as Patriot, the SAMP/T is a medium-range air defence system with comparable operational performance. The SAMP/T, which consists of more than 100 pieces of equipment, will be operated by up to 150 Italian Armed Forces service members. The Italian Contingent (ITACON) air defenders along with their assets have by now taken up their positions at Kuchyňa AB. Today's hand over-take over (HOTO) ceremony has seen the U.S. Patriot Battery handing its role to the ITA SAMP/T Battery under NATO's air shielding mission.
In a statement, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: "I see this deployment as strong and unequivocal proof of NATO Member States' readiness and willingness to ensure our common defence and security. Regardless of the length of deployment - our Allies clearly declare their support and are strengthening our capabilities, for as long as it is necessary."
As Minister Naď reminded us, regular troop and equipment rotations are seen as a natural cycle of any NATO Battlegroup's deployment or any deployment of forces on operations. And this also holds true for the SVK military's rotating presence abroad. Obviously, the reasons for why forces rotate in and out of operations may be different - take, for example, required equipment maintenance support - as with the U.S. Army Patriot Battery's withdrawal and return to its base in Germany.
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