PS: Defence Minister Kalinak Deepens Non-transparency by Purchasing 4x4 Vehicles

Bratislava, November 4 (TASR) - Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) deepens the non-transparency and non-systemic nature of procurement by purchasing nine multi-purpose tactical vehicles for the ministry, opposition MP Tomas Valasek (Progressive Slovakia/PS) said on Monday in reaction to the purchase of the tactical vehicles that hasn't been announced by the ministry in advance. "In every normal country, ministers submit - and parliaments approve - a plan for the development of their armed forces, in which it is specified, for years ahead, what kind of military equipment needs to be invested in and how much money should be roughly spent on it. Minister Kalinak didn't even try to do anything like that, although he's been in the office for a year," said Valasek. According to PS expert in the field of defence Peter Bator, the fact that the vehicles must be delivered in December, but the seller is due to complete the equipment as late as in 2025 attests to the non-systemic spending of money as well. The Defence Ministry has signed contracts with three suppliers for nine multi-purpose tactical vehicles with 4x4 drive for almost €17 million excluding VAT, according to the contracts published in the Central Register. ko/mcs