BRATISLAVA (Reuters) – Slovakia’s defense ministry said on Friday it was in talks to buy either American F-16s or Swedish Gripen fighter jets to replace its aging Russian-made MiG-29s.

The ministry said it would submit an analysis of the two options by June 29 for government approval.

Slovakia, a member of NATO, has a maintenance contract with Russia for its 12 MiG-29s until autumn 2019. That contract may need to be extended even if the government agrees to buy new jets by the end of this year, since the new jets typically take 18 to 24 months to deliver.

release Reuters

Photo Marcel van Leeuwen