Slovak Defence Ministers Clash Over Air Defense System Ownership

A dispute has emerged between Slovakia's current and former defense ministers over the ownership and status of the country's new Barak MX air defense system. Opposition Democrats, led by former Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď, claim the system does not belong to Slovakia and is not integrated into NATO's alliance defense framework, suggesting it is being leased from its Israeli manufacturer. Current Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák has rejected these accusations, calling them misleading. The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions over Slovakia's defense capabilities and procurement policies, with the ruling and opposition parties offering conflicting accounts of the air defense system's legal status and operational integration within the country's NATO commitments.