The United States has offered to sell Slovakia 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters at a two-thirds discount after Bratislava sent its retired MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Wednesday.

Nad said his government still had to approve the deal under which it would pay $340 million over three to four years for a package worth more than $1 billion.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine war: Zelensky visits front line near Bakhmut as Russia targets cities

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-war-zelensky-visits-front-line-near-bakhmut-as-russia-targets-cities-574804/embed" width="560"></iframe>

The remainder would be covered under the US Foreign Military Financing programme, Nad said in a post on Facebook.

The deal includes parts, training and more than 500 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles, he said.

"This offer is hugely advantageous and will significantly increase Slovakia's defence potential," Nad said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-reconstruction-and-recovery-will-take-several-years-and-411-billion-world-bank-574812">Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery will take several years, cost $411 billion: World Bank</a>

Slovakia, a NATO member on the military alliance's eastern flank, currently has no combat helicopters.

It retired its fleet of MiG jets last summer and has relied on central European neighbours the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary for air defence support.

Last week it became the second of Ukraine's allies, after Poland, to provide fighter jets, which Kyiv believes are crucial to repel Russia's year-long invasion.

Slovakia will also supply part of its KUB air defence system.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-hasnt-crossed-line-to-provide-russia-lethal-aid-says-top-us-diplomat-blinken-574827">China hasn't 'crossed line' to provide Russia 'lethal aid,' says top US diplomat Blinken</a>

Alongside the offer of US equipment, Slovakia will receive 250 million euros ($269 million) in European Union compensation, Nad said.

Nad said the helicopter offer was partly due to its support for neighbour Ukraine and also indirect compensation for the delayed delivery of F-16 fighter jets which the country ordered in 2018 that are now due to arrive in 2024.

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The United States has offered to sell Slovakia 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters at a two-thirds discount after Bratislava sent its retired MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Wednesday.

The United States has offered to sell Slovakia 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters at a two-thirds discount after Bratislava sent its retired MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Wednesday. Nad said his government still had to approve the deal under which it would pay $340 million over three to four years for a package worth more than $1 billion. Watch | Ukraine war: Zelensky visits front line near Bakhmut as Russia targets cities The remainder would be covered under the US Foreign Military Financing programme, Nad said in a post on Facebook. The deal includes parts, training and more than 500 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles, he said. "This offer is hugely advantageous and will significantly increase Slovakia's defence potential," Nad said. Also read | Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery will take several years, cost $411 billion: World Bank Slovakia, a NATO member on the military alliance's eastern flank, currently has no combat helicopters. It retired its fleet of MiG jets last summer and has relied on central European neighbours the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary for air defence support. Last week it became the second of Ukraine's allies, after Poland, to provide fighter jets, which Kyiv believes are crucial to repel Russia's year-long invasion. Slovakia will also supply part of its KUB air defence system. Also read | China hasn't 'crossed line' to provide Russia 'lethal aid,' says top US diplomat Blinken Alongside the offer of US equipment, Slovakia will receive 250 million euros ($269 million) in European Union compensation, Nad said. Nad said the helicopter offer was partly due to its support for neighbour Ukraine and also indirect compensation for the delayed delivery of F-16 fighter jets which the country ordered in 2018 that are now due to arrive in 2024. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Slovakia gets US helicopter offer after sending jets to Ukraine

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Slovakia gets US helicopter offer after sending jets to Ukraine