Poland and the Czech Republic signed an agreement on Saturday to protect Slovak airspace as Slovakia is ditching its old Soviet MiG-29 jets, AP reported.

The protection will last until Slovakia receives new F-16 aircraft from the US, which should happen in 2024.

The agreement was signed at the Slovak air base by Poland's defense ministers Mariusz Blashak, the Czech Republic's Yana Chernokhova and Slovakia's Yaroslav Nad.

Slovakia has a fleet of 11 MiG-29 fighter jets, and last month Nagy said Slovakia could consider transferring them to Ukraine under certain conditions.