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Malacky-Kuchyňa AB made safer with BAK-12 Aircraft Arresting System ahead of the arrival of F-16s

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

10.07.2024

A new BAK-12 Aircraft Arresting System has been successfully verified in a certification test and officially handed over for use at Malacky-Kuchyňa Air Base. The key to the Barrier Arresting Kit-12 (BAK-12) was presented to Deputy Defence Minister Martin Vojtašovič by US Ambassador to Slovakia Gautam Rana at the official handover ceremony today (10 July 2024). This capability will, undoubtedly, ensure the improved safety of the Air Base's operations, pilots and F-16 fighter jets.

The BAK-12, designed to arrest tail-hook equipped aircraft in the event of an emergency such as when the takeoff is aborted or when the aircraft braking system malfunctions upon landing, will effectively deaccelerate an aircraft up to a minimum nominal weight of 22,680kg until it comes to a stop. The system, which has an in-service life of 10 years, will be operational in compliance with applicable military and civil aviation regulations and Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-1043 - Managing, Operating and Maintaining Aircraft Arresting Systems.

On the ongoing efforts to accommodate and support F-16 operations in Slovakia, Deputy Defence Minister Martin Vojtašovič said: "The BAK-12 certification and handover are a significant milestone in our preparedness to receive the Slovak Air Force F-16s at this Air Base in just two weeks' time."

The installation of and training on the new BAK-12 system were provided by U.S. Air Force airmen of the 435th Construction and Training Squadron (435 CTS), based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The BAK-12 has been put into operation in preparation for F-16 operations at Malacky-Kuchyňa AB. The first two F-16s will land there in late July, with the third scheduled to join the Slovak Air Force F-16 fleet by the end of this year.

That the BAK-12 has been installed, tested, and deemed in-service and operational for use underlines our credibility and reliability in the area of international defence, according to the Deputy Defence Minister. "The Ministry of Defence has been in intense communication with its Allied partners to enhance the effectiveness of our country's defences, not only in the air, but also on the ground. It is proof that we are a stable and reliable partner for NATO," Mr Vojtašovič concluded.