Slovak Republic To Procure M4A1 Carbines

The Slovak Republic has announced plans to procure 5,000 M4A1 carbines from the US. The $17 million procurement will be financed through Foreign Military Financing (FMF), which ‘enables eligible partner nations to purchase US defense articles, services, and training’ through either a US government loan or a grant. The Slovakian Ministry of Defense also shared the announcement in their social media, explaining the benefits of the M4A1. Announcements also noted the carbines would be procured from Colt.

Slovakia currently uses the 7.62x39mm vz.58 and is in the process of modernizing their armed forces. They also require a rifle chambered in a NATO standard cartridge to take part in NATO operations and exercises. While a number of CZ Bren 805s have been procured in the past, Slovakia had also reportedly been cleared to procure 5,000 M4A1s previously in 2017. However, a recent feasibility study published by the Slovakian defense ministry outlined the number of M4s currently in service as just 360.

The feasibility study outlines Slovakia’s current stocks of rifles and also its future requirements with some 24,777 new rifles (with various barrel lengths 11, 14.5 and 16.5 inches) needed by 2035. It appears that the M4A1s may act as an interim while the Slovak Republic selects its next service rifle.

Here’s the Slovak Ministry of Defense’s statement:

The Ministry of Defense informed today at the meeting of the Government of the Slovak Republic about the intention to procure M4A1 assault rifles with accessories from Foreign Military Financing (FMF). The government took note of the informative material on the planned procurement of 5.56 mm rifles.

“The armed forces have morally or technically outdated assault rifles in their arsenal, which today no longer meet the conditions of conducting combat activities. Although they have more modern rifles, they were not procured in sufficient numbers so that the Slovak Armed Forces were ready to fulfill all tasks. If we do not deal with this situation in the long term, the combat capability of our armed forces would be lost,” said the head of the Ministry of Defense, Martin Sklenár. He emphasized that the procurement of new M4A1 rifles through financing from FMF funds is very advantageous for the Slovak Republic. “Thanks to the very good bilateral cooperation with the USA, the clear attitude towards Ukraine and our decisive and ongoing assistance to our neighbor, we will have these rifles practically for free,” added Minister Sklenár.

He specified that the total price for the 5,000 rifles, including accessories, spare parts and technical support, is $17,372,291. After receiving the supplies, the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic will transfer 20% of VAT to the state treasury within the state budget. This transaction will not burden the public budget of the SR. In addition, these funds are in the planned expenses of the department.

The Ministry of Defense plans to procure handguns for the Slovak Armed Forces in two ways – in addition to financing the mentioned 5,000 pieces from FMF funds, the department plans to announce a public procurement for additional assault rifles. M4A1 assault rifles from the American company Colt have already been procured in the form of FMF in the past, and are currently used in the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic.

These rifles meet the requirements for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, are in line with the concept of the development of individual weapons and are compatible with assault rifles and ammunition used in several NATO member states. Delivery through FMF funds is planned during 2025.