Continuing with the established schedule, Lockheed Martin has completed the delivery of two new F-16 Block 70 aircraft to the Slovak Air Force. With the arrival of these two new units from the United States, the European country continues its program to replace its aging Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, which were transferred to Ukraine.
In 2018, seeking to modernize its combat aircraft fleet and in light of the obsolescence of its MiG-29s, Slovakia signed several agreements with the United States to acquire fourteen (14) new F-16 Block 70 fighters. The deal also included a comprehensive support package covering logistics, training, and weaponry, with an authorized value of US$1.6 billion.
As production of the new Vipers gains momentum at the Greenville assembly plant, Lockheed Martin has been delivering the latest variant of the F-16 to new operators. Recent examples include the Bulgarian Air Force, which has already received its first unit, and the unveiling of the first newly built combat aircraft for Taiwan, part of a batch of 66 aircraft (complemented by the local upgrade of 139 existing units).
Regarding Slovakia specifically, the first of the 14 aircraft was presented in late 2023, followed by its initial test and evaluation flights. In July 2024, the first two fighters arrived in Slovakia, marking a new chapter in the country’s military aviation history. Although not officially reported, another aircraft is also believed to have been delivered.
This information stems from the recent reception ceremony held at Kuchyňa Air Base for the two aircraft arriving from the United States, officially confirmed by the Slovak Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry stated that the fighter jets completed a ferry flight from the United States, explaining: “Both aircraft were delivered by air in two stages: a transatlantic flight to Morón Air Base in Spain, followed by a transfer to Kuchyňa Airfield. These flights not only demonstrated the technical readiness of the aircraft but also the skill of the manufacturer’s pilots who carried out the delivery.”
They added that the aircraft are currently undergoing final evaluations and certifications before being integrated into the Viper fleet, in order to fulfill a wide range of air defense and airspace security missions for Slovakia.
Finally, the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, General Daniel Zmeko, provided an update on pilot training efforts, stating: “We currently have seven trained pilots participating in the test flights and certification of the delivered aircraft. Another six pilots will complete their training this year in the United States and, together with the already prepared ground personnel, will begin fulfilling the assigned flight training and operational mission tasks.”
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