Slovakia transfering material from ISAF mission in Afghanistan

Bratislava, July 15 (IANS) Slovakia's armed forces are transferring their military material from Afghanistan in piecemeal fashion amidst the planned end of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission by the end of this year, an official said Monday.

Last year, some 600 tonnes of military material was brought back to Slovakia. This year it's been 83 tonnes so far, with another 190 tonnes scheduled to return to Slovakia by the end of this year, Xinhua quoted Slovakia's defence ministry spokesperson Martina Ballekova as saying.

The armed forces are primarily using NATO's programme Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) to transport the material. An Antonov 124-100 cargo aircraft that can carry up to 120 tonnes of cargo is being used for the purpose.

"The armed forces have used one flight within SALIS in 2014, and requests have been placed for another two by the end of this year," added Ballekova.

The last tour of duty of Slovak troops set off for Afghanistan in June.