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Galko: Former Ministry Managers Signed Shady Helicopter Contracts
Wednesday 11 August 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, August 11 (TARS) - The former Defence Ministry management just before the general election in June signed a contract for installing new devices in ten helicopters, one of which officially became obsolete on July 31, 2010, said new Defence Minister Lubomir Galko (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) on Wednesday.
Galko stated that his ministry has already filed a criminal complaint concerning the violation of the duty to administer public property and the abuse of power of a public official.
According to information published in the media, the ministry ordered the installation of new devices in the 20-year-old helicopters for €57 million. The new ministry has reservations towards the contract, claiming that it is suspect due to non-standard and specially-designed practices.
The Slovak airforce has 14 Mi 17 helicopters in total. The other nine helicopters that should be modernised will become obsolete betweeen 2011-14.
Talks on prolonging their operational lives were due to be discussed with the manufactuers of the helicopters at the end of July and the beginning of August, i.e. two months after the modernisation contract was signed.
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