ANKARA

Slovakia on Monday inked a major arms deal to purchase 152 armored combat vehicles with the Swedish branch of the British defense giant BAE Systems.

"As part of a government-to-government agreement between Sweden and the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic has signed a $1.37 billion (€1.3 billion) agreement for the delivery of 152 CV9035 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from BAE Systems," said the producer company in a statement.

It added that the vehicles would be the most modern sub-systems, including Israeli-made Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, protection sensors, and a 35mm gun.

According to the deal, the Slovak local industry will also assume significant roles in the production and lifecycles of the vehicles.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the deal, the Slovakian Defense Minister said: "I am glad that modernization of the Slovak Armed Forces is rapidly moving forward. In the last two years, the pace of our army's modernization achieved levels that have not been seen in decades."