The Slovak Air Force has received two additional F-16 Viper combat aircraft as part of a US foreign military sale in 2019.
These fighter jets are the fourth and fifth F-16s for the country, with more expected in the coming years to complete Bratislava’s order of 14 aircraft.
Industry partner Lockheed Martin delivered the systems via a two-phase flight across the Atlantic, alongside the Bulgarian military’s first Viper aircraft.
The Slovak Air Force is now processing the certification and associated preparations to achieve full operational capability for its latest F-16s by the summer.
Meanwhile, the service has already trained seven pilots to operate the entire Viper fleet. Six more are currently undergoing flight training and operational tasks in the US before returning to the Central European country.
All Slovak F-16s will replace the government’s Soviet-made MiG-29 warplanes, which were donated to Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
“With the arrival of two more F-16 fighter jets, we are strengthening the protection of Slovak skies,” Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák commented on the delivery.
“We believe that we will soon assume full responsibility for protecting our airspace.”
