Two more F-16 fighters landed in Slovakia, nine pieces are missing from the order
Pandemia slowed off the supplies.
Two more F-16 fighters landed in Slovakia. Author: TASR
BRATISLAVA. Two more F-16 fighters landed on Wednesday for the Armed Forces on Wednesday.
Slovakia has already available five out of 14 ordered aircraft.
“We significantly increase the capacity of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic,” said Slavomír Verčimák, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic.
He confirmed that this year is expected to deliver four aircraft.
According to Verčimák, the new Slovak fighters would like to involve this summer in the protection of the airspace. Slovakia could take full responsibility over its airspace by the end of the year or next year.
The introduction of fighters into operation is preceded by the administrative and technical process of acceptance, as Verčimák explained.
Adolf Daubner from the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic added that five machines supplied is still used for training, especially ground staff. Tests, acceptance tests and a small number of flights are also carried out.
There are currently six trained pilots in the Slovak Republic. Others are preparing in the United States. The training should end at the turn of the years, then they will be replaced by another group. A total of 22 pilots should be trained.
The contract for 14 F-16 C/D Block 70 US production was concluded by Slovakia at the end of 2018. The delivery of aircraft was delayed for the pandemic. The first two fighters arrived in Slovakia in July 2024, another in December last year. So far, Slovakia has been protected in cooperation with foreign partners.
