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Slovakia takes official delivery of first two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets in USA

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

01.03.2024

A delegation of the Slovak Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces officials, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Mr Robert Kaliňák, attended the Slovakia F-16 Block 70 Delivery Ceremony for the first two SVK F-16 fighter jets at Lockheed Martin's production facility in Greenville, South Caroline. While there, the head of the Slovak MOD was also updated on the progress being made in the production of the remaining F-16s on order from the United States.

After finalising the contractual delivery arrangements for the first two SVK F-16 aircraft, which Lockheed Martin announced in January 2024, the fighter jets were now officially handed over during the Slovakia F-16 Block 70 Delivery Ceremony on Thursday 29 February 2024.

Before arriving in Slovakia, both aircraft - a single-seat C-model and a two-seat D-model - will be used for the F-16 maintenance training programme for SVK technicians in the USA. This training is crucial as Slovak Air Force personnel take the steps necessary to ensure the smooth integration and effective operation of the F-16 fleet.

Defence Minister Kaliňák and OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, agreed that the delivery of the aircraft marks the start of a new supersonic aviation era for Slovakia. What's more, Slovakia is the first European country to receive and operate this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. Thanks to the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, the Slovak Air Force will fly Air Policing missions and safeguard SVK airspace with its own capacities.

In his remarks, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: "Without skillful and courageous men and women of the Armed Forces, we would not be able to guarantee the security of the Slovak Republic and its citizens. It is our duty to do everything we can to ensure the highest level of protection for Armed Forces personnel, and so minimise the potential loss of life. These advanced F-16 fighter jets are a guarantee of the highest quality standards and, hence, of delivering safety and security to our servicemen and women."

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. The first group of aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Slovakia by mid-2024.