The first Slovak F-16 took flight in September 2023. This two-seat F-16D remains in the US for now, although the first two F-16Cs arrived in Slovakia on 22 July. (Lockheed Martin)
The Slovak Air Force has received its first two Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70s, marking the subtype's introduction to Europe, according to a 23 July statement by the company during the Farnborough International Airshow 2024.
The two F-16Cs arrived at Slovakia's Malacky Air Base on 22 July, greeted by dignitaries from the Slovak government.
Lockheed Martin has built five of Slovakia's EUR1.6 billion (then valued at USD1.8 billion) order for 14 F-16s – 12 F-16Cs and 2 two-seat F-16Ds – placed in 2018. The remaining aircraft are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2025, the company said. The contract included Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium‐Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and AIM-9X missiles, in addition to training and in-service support.
The aircraft replace a fleet of MiG-29s, which were donated to Ukraine in 2023.
The F-16 Block 70 features an AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, in addition to a 12,000 h structural life and Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).
For more information, please seeLockheed Martin flies first F-16 for Slovakia .
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