The first two F-16 Block 70 fighters for the Slovakian Air Force have been successfully delivered, the aircraft’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, announced on 10 January 2024.
Slovakia signed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) for 14 F-16s in December 2018 in a deal worth EUR 1.589 Bn and will be the first European country to receive the F-16 Block 70.
The purchase of new fighters as a replacement for its obsolete MiG-29 fighters has been one of Slovakia’s acquisition priorities, as listed in the White Paper on Defense of the Slovak Republic in 2016.
O J Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, was quoted in a company press release as saying, “The delivery of the first two F-16 Block 70 jets to Slovakia signifies a crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defence capabilities. We are proud to be part of this endeavour and are committed to delivering a total of 14 jets to Slovakia.
“The integration of this proven platform will allow the Slovak Air Force to effectively safeguard its borders and partner with allies across Europe, NATO, and the world,” Sanchez added. “We stand committed to our mission of advancing 21st Century security through cost-effective operations and strategic partnerships, ensuring the safety and well-being of US allies.”
F-16 Block 70 deliveries to Slovakia will continue through to 2025, with the first group of jets, known as a ferry cell, expected to arrive in Slovakia mid-2024. The aircraft are built at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Greenville, South Carolina.
More than 3,100 F-16s are operating today in 25 countries, Lockheed Martin noted in its press release.
