Czech Armed Forces to help provide air defence coverage to Slovakia's airspace starting September
Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic
27.7.2022
Author: by editorial staff
The Czech Government deliberated the assistance to Slovakia with the protection of its airspace. The Czech Republic will perform air policing with JAS-39 Gripen aircraft from September 2022 until the end of 2023 with possible extension. Poland will also contribute to the defence of Slovak airspace. Slovakia officially requested the Czech assistance on June 18. A joint declaration, which should be signed soon, specifies the concept of operations.
"The conflict in Ukraine showed us how important unity within NATO and mutual help among Allies are. I am delighted to discuss on behalf of the Czech Republic the provision of assistance to our Slovak neighbours on the defence of their airspace", said Defence Minister Jana Černochová.
Slovakia is performing its air defence with Russian MiG-29 fighter jets. Due to the conflict in Ukraine, Bratislava started to prepare early decommissioning of the aircraft. Slovakia already ordered new American F-16 fighters, however, they will probably only be ready as late as in 2025.
A joint declaration of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland has already been drafted and its signature is expected soon. "According to the declaration, air policing will commence on September 1, 2022, and will continue till the end of 2023 with possible extension," Minister Černochová elaborated.
Czech fighter pilots have had experience with the provision of NATO air policing since 2009. They were stationed in the Baltic region three times, and provided air defence coverage to the skies over Iceland three times. From April 1 through the end of July 2022, they protected the airspace of Baltic States again, this time from the Shiauliai Air Base where they cooperated with the Spanish Air Force.
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