Former Defense Ministers Trade Blame Over Military Equipment Sale at Scrap Metal Prices

Former Slovak defense ministers Jaroslav Naď and Robert Kaliňák are exchanging blame over the controversial sale of military equipment at prices equivalent to scrap metal. The dispute centers on a transaction that allowed a private company to profit millions from purchasing military hardware at drastically reduced prices. Naď, who served as defense minister under the previous center-right government, and Kaliňák, who returned to the defense portfolio when the current ruling coalition took power, are each pointing fingers at the other's administration for the questionable deal. The controversy highlights concerns about the proper management and disposal of Slovakia's military assets, with questions arising about whether the equipment was sold below its actual value, potentially causing significant financial losses to the state.