Slovakia receives two more F-16 fighter jets as part of ongoing defence procurement programme

“With the arrival of two more F-16 fighters, we are reinforcing the protection of Slovak airspace. We believe that we will soon take full responsibility for the defence of our airspace,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák.

The newly delivered aircraft were transported in two stages—first across the Atlantic Ocean to Morón Air Base in Spain, followed by a transfer to Slovakia. These flights verified both the technical capabilities of the aircraft and the skill of the ferry pilots provided by the manufacturer.

The jets are currently undergoing certification and operational integration, with full readiness expected during the summer of 2025. “We currently have seven trained pilots involved in test flights and certification. Another six pilots will complete their training in the United States this year and, together with prepared ground personnel, will begin fulfilling flight training and operational tasks,” said General Daniel Zmeko, Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces.

The acquisition forms part of a broader intergovernmental agreement with the United States, signed in December 2018, under a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) worth $1.9 billion USD. Within this deal, Slovakia ordered a total of 14 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70 aircraft (12 single-seat “C” variants and two dual-seat “D” variants).

Deliveries were initially planned for 2022–2023 but were significantly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to current plans, five aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2025, with the full delivery to be completed in 2026.

Slovakia is the first European country to operate the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70/72, the most advanced version of the F-16 platform. The Ministry of Defence has not ruled out additional procurement in the future, potentially forming a full squadron of multi-role fighter aircraft.

Source: Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.