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First F-16 Block 70 fighter jet for Slovakia is built, others are in the process of production at Lockheed Martin's Greenville site

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

07.09.2023

On Wednesday 6 September 2023, Defence Minister Martin Sklenár visited Lockheed Martin's Greenville site in South Carolina, the home of the F-16 Fighting Falcon production line, where the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft carrying the Slovak national emblem and the emblem of the Slovak Air Force was officially unveiled and presented to the SVK MOD delegation. The aircraft still awaits its full finalisation and flight tests are scheduled for this November. The head of the SVK MOD was also briefed on the progress made in producing the other 13 F-16 jets.

After the delivery of the F-16 fleet on order from the United States, Slovakia will be the first European country to receive and operate this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Block 70 aircraft, featuring advanced 21st Century Security capabilities, will bring the highest standards of airspace security to Slovakia for decades to come.

Speaking after the aircraft's official reveal at the Slovak F-16 Block 70 Ceremony Event at Lockheed Martin in Greenville, Defence Minister Martin Sklenár said: "Iʼm so very pleased I had the opportunity to see the first fighter jet that will take the Slovak Air Force forward by generations, as will the defence capability of our country. As well as being Slovakiaʼs biggest investment project in the modernisation of our Armed Forces, this is also an opportunity to deepen our strategic partnership."

"These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world," said OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, adding: "This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic and allies."

According to Director General of the MOD Modernisation Department and National Armaments Director Michal Homza, preparations involving expert teams at individual levels are on track to make sure the first two aircraft are available for training SVK F-16 technicians in the USA. "Based on the current agreement, the F-16 fighter jets will be arriving in Slovakia in stages, starting from the second quarter of next year," he said.

Alongside the Slovak Air Force's new F-16 Fighter Jet Capability, our strategic partnership also offers other unique opportunities for industry involvement, including establishing cooperation between Slovakia's state-owned Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín (LOTN) and Lockheed Martin as F-16 manufacturer - the subject of which is LOTN's future participation in the maintenance of some aircraft components. In addition, LOTN will be responsible for introducing the Integrated Logistics Information and Automation System (ILIAS) to support the implementation and sustainment of Slovakia's F-16 Block 70 fleet.

Lockheed Martin's donation of $180,000 to the Central Military Hospital Ružomberok to help repair fire damage to its Surgical Pavilion is a practical outcome of this cooperation as well.