The United States of America will provide Slovakia with $200 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to strengthen Slovak security and military interoperability. The Biden administration announced this assistance as part of a commitment to support Ukraine and 17 countries that have provided significant assistance to Ukraine. As a recipient of FMF funds, Slovakia can strengthen its defense capabilities to deter and defend against the increased threat from Russia. The Slovak Ministry of Defense will be able to use these funds to purchase military equipment in line with Slovakia’s NATO Force Development Goals.
“This FMF package for Slovakia demonstrates the strength of our bilateral relationship. The American people recognize Slovakia’s generosity and support for Ukraine, and this financing demonstrates our commitment to our Allies. Slovakia will be able to use these funds to procure NATO-standard military equipment and increase its defense capabilities as Russia wages an unjust war next door. As we prepare to celebrate 30 years of bilateral relations between our countries, this FMF package reaffirms our commitment to our friendship, the importance of shared values, and the understanding that we are stronger together.” — U.S. Ambassador Gautam Rana.
These funds will help Slovakia replenish military equipment in response to its decisive support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion and Slovakia’s leadership in the region. Slovakia’s military support for the defense of Ukraine, such as the S-300 missile system and Mi-17 helicopters, has been crucial to the efforts of the Ukrainian people to fight back against Russian aggression. This money will help Slovakia to rebuild important defense capabilities for its own protection that will also strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.
Foreign Military Financing is a program that provides a grant or direct loan funding to foreign militaries for the purchase of U.S. defense equipment, training, and services. The $200 million that Slovakia is receiving in this tranche is grant funding.
