Slovakia is to begin official talks on the rental of flying hours on Gripen jet fighters with Sweden, with the Slovak government assigning the task to Defense Minister Martin Glvac on Wednesday.

The Slovak government maintains that Sweden is the only country to offer a deal whereby it could rent flying hours. Details of the costs and number of Gripen jet fighters to be used in Slovakia are still to be worked out.

The Slovak Armed Forces currently have Mig-29 jet fighters at their disposal, the contract for which will expire in 2016.

According to Glvac, Slovakia cannot afford to purchase new fighter jets. The Czech Republic is also renting Gripen aircraft from Sweden.