Hungary to join neighbours in protecting Slovak skies

FILE PHOTO: Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad speaks at a news conference with German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht in Bratislava, Slovakia, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

(Reuters) - Hungary will join the Czech Republic and Poland in patrolling Slovakia's skies after it grounded its Soviet-made MiG-29s from service last year, Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Friday.

Slovakia has relied on its neighbours for airspace protection since last September while it waits for new, U.S.-made F-16 fighters due in 2024.