On October 4, 2023, the Slovak Ministry of Defense announced plans to acquire 5,000 M4A1 assault rifles, accompanied by a comprehensive set of accessories, through the utilization of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds. This decision was made public during a government meeting of the Slovak Republic. The total financial outlay for the acquisition of 5,000 M4A1 rifles, inclusive of accessories, spare parts, and technical support, is set at $17,372,291. The anticipated delivery of the newly procured M4A1 rifles is scheduled to take place in 2025.
The primary rationale behind this procurement is the need to replace aging assault rifles currently in service with the Slovak Armed Forces. According to Martin Sklenár, the head of the Ministry of Defense, these rifles no longer meet the required standards for modern combat activities. While the armed forces have more modern rifles, their limited quantity has hindered the readiness of the Slovak Armed Forces to fulfill their tasks effectively. Sklenár emphasized that failure to address this situation could compromise the overall combat capability of the nation’s military.
In addition to the 5,000 M4A1 rifles secured through FMF funds, the Ministry of Defense is preparing to initiate a public procurement process to acquire additional assault rifles, further enhancing the firepower of the Slovak Armed Forces. The M4A1 assault rifles, manufactured by the American company Colt, have previously been procured via FMF channels and are currently in service with the Special Operations Forces of the Slovak Armed Forces. Their compatibility with NATO standards, both in terms of rifles and ammunition, coupled with their modern features, make them a suitable choice for the modernization of the Slovak military.