The Technical University of Košice (TUKE) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Statement of Work to establish a collaborative academic and professional framework for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) education, simulation, and training in Slovakia.

Under the framework, the parties intend to combine TUKE’s academic foundation and aviation heritage with IAI’s global expertise as an unmanned aircraft systems' (UAS) pioneer. The initiative is designed to support Slovak governmental defense entities, including the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, homeland security agencies, and emergency and rescue services, by preparing next­‑generation specialists for complex aerial operations, crisis response, and modern airspace integration.

Per the Statement of Work, TUKE will host, govern, and operate the educational framework at its university facilities, providing the classrooms, simulation laboratories, and academic faculty necessary to administer certified coursework. IAI will act in an advisory and supportive capacity, delivering professional guidance, workshops, and technical seminars for training delivery based strictly on open­‑source, unclassified data.

Prof. Ing. Peter Mésároš, PhD, Rector of the Technical University of Košice: "Aviation is entering an era defined by rapid digital transformation, where autonomy and simulation are paramount to safeguarding national infrastructure and airspace security. By partnering with an internationally recognized leader like IAI, TUKE and Faculty of Aeronautics reaffirm its historic legacy in military and civil aviation education while looking squarely into the future. This framework will enable our university to cultivate premier domestic expertise—empowering our Armed Forces, border guards, and first responders with modern, simulation­‑driven competencies in mission planning, uncrewed flight safety, and low­‑altitude integration."

Moshe Levy, EVP and GM of IAI’s Military Aircraft Group: "Unmanned aviation is no longer a technology of the future, it is reshaping how missions are conceived, executed and sustained today. In order to achieve the technological edge for the next­‑generations of UAS, there is a need to further foster and invest in human­‑expertise, knowledge and training infrastructure. Together with TUKE, IAI is helping establish this foundation in Slovakia, bringing decades of experience to an academic framework designed to prepare the future generation for the increasingly complex world of remotely piloted and autonomous aviation."

The planned Training and Simulation Centre is intended to establish an academic and professional framework for RPAS education, simulation and training for Slovak governmental defence entities. The Parties will cooperate in organizing professional courses, workshops, seminars and educational programs designed to increase professional knowledge and familiarity with RPAS technologies and simulation capabilities.

All joint activities under the agreement will adhere strictly to international export control regulations and applicable marketing licenses, ensuring that research and educational activities remain unclassified and based on open­‑source information while fostering vital regional defense literacy.

About the Technical University of Košice (TUKE)

Founded in 1952, the Technical University of Košice is one of Central Europe's leading research universities, encompassing nine faculties. Its Faculty of Aeronautics—established as the successor to the prestigious Military Aviation Academy of Gen. M. R. Štefánik—carries more than six decades of traditions in training civil and military pilots, air traffic controllers, and aerospace engineers. The faculty holds unique dual certifications from both civil aviation authorities and military aviation regulators.

About Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world­‑leading aerospace and defense company innovating and delivering cutting­‑edge technologies in space, air, land, naval, cyber & homeland security for defense and commercial markets. Combining the spirit of innovation with decades of combat­‑proven experience, IAI provides customers with tailor­‑made, cutting­‑edge solutions to the unique challenges they face, including satellites, UAVs, missiles, intelligence solutions, weapon systems, air defense systems, robotic systems, radars, business jets, aerostructures, and more. Established in 1953, IAI is one of Israel’s largest technology employers with offices and R&D centers in Israel and abroad.