Slovakia Receives First Batch of Advanced Block 70 F-16s

Lockheed Martin has formally delivered the first two of 14 F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon fourth generation fighter jets to Slovakia.

The manufacturer announced the deliveries in a statement in which an executive noted that the move marks a “crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.”

The first tranche of aircraft will not arrive in country until mid-2024, and all deliveries are set to run through 2025.

Slovakia, which shares its eastern border with Ukraine, is set to become the first European operator of the Block 70 configured jets, initially agreeing to the 14 aircraft order for €1.58 billion ($1.8 billion) in December 2018. Lockheed originally rolled out the first Slovak F-16 Block 70 jet from Greenville in September 2023.

Lockheed Martin added that it has 135 of the Block 70 aircraft on backlog, which it expects to increase by eight units once a Bulgarian order has been agreed. Production of Bulgarian aircraft, based on an original order for eight aircraft is underway, with deliveries expected to begin in the last quarter of 2024. Bahrain got its first Block 70 last March 2023.

The Block 70 fighter jets are integrated with Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a high resolution Center Pedestal Display.

Foreign customers have been hungry for the Block 70 jets, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as in response to the growing threat posed by China. Buyers like Taiwan have seen the schedule for their Block 70 F-16s slip, prompting congressional outcry and calls to speed up deliveries to the island nation.

Spanish Military to Bolster NATO Presence in Slovakia Against Russian Threat

The Spanish Army will begin deploying along the Russian border in January to protect NATO's eastern flank. Spain plans to deploy over 600 soldiers in Slovakia, along with Leopard and Pizarro combat tanks, armored vehicles, and potentially, Army helicopters, as reported by ABC.

This maneuver aims to bolster NATO's presence on its eastern flank, near the border with Russia. The decision was reportedly announced by the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, during the NATO summit held in July in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The initial troops will be sent to the Slovak base in Lest in January, while the official mission will commence on July 1. Spain will thus assume leadership of the land battalion, previously commanded by the Czech Republic.

Additionally, military sources pointed out that the mission in Slovakia will be one of the most comprehensive operations of the Spanish Armed Forces to date and "will not have to go through the Congress filter," despite the National Defense Law requiring all operations conducted abroad, not directly related to Spain's defense or national interest, to obtain the Parliament's authorization.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense indicated that the maneuver is part of NATO's operation on the eastern flank, known as Enhanced Forward Presence, which is already active in Latvia. Thus, it is not a new operation but an extension of an existing one, as argued by the agency.

Even though the government almost certainly has parliamentary support – typically backed by the People's Party (PP) and Vox – the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) aims to avoid conflicts with Sumar and its coalition partners, traditionally critical on Defense matters.

Since March 2022, NATO has deployed troops in eight European countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Morris ANGB Selected as Training Ground for Slovakia's F-16s in Joint Program

The Department of the Air Force has designated Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona as the prime location to house up to nine Slovak-owned F-16s for a temporary stationing in the United States.This arrangement is set to commence in the spring of 2024 and continue through fiscal year 2026, operating under the purview of the 162nd Wing.

The integration of Slovak-owned F-16s at Morris ANGB will necessitate an increase of nearly 30 Air National Guard (ANG) personnel. However, it's important to note that only four of the potentially allotted nine aircraft will be utilized for the purpose of conducting flight training for Slovak Air Force pilots.

This strategic decision aims not to supplant the ongoing initial qualification pilot training facilitated by the 162nd Wing for the Slovak Air Force. Instead, it seeks to supplement and expedite the enhancement of the Slovak pilot cadre, thereby augmenting their proficiency and capabilities.

First F-16 Block 70 for Slovak Republic rolled out

The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Republic was unveiled at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, during a visit from the country’s Minister of Defence.

Slovak Republic is the first European nation to acquire the advanced F-16 Block 70.With this acquisition, Slovakia expects not only enhance the nation’s security but also allow the Slovak Air Force to actively contribute to regional security efforts and participate in allied missions, including those within Europe and NATO.

In total, the Slovak Republic has ordered 14 F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft.

lockheedmartin

NEWS 2022 April, 9

NATO fighters intercept Russian Jets over Black Sea from base in Romania

NATO jets scrambled from this Romanian base four times in the last 20 days to intercept Russian fighters that launched from Crimea, flying toward NATO territory along the Black Sea coast. Each time, the Russian jets turned away without incident, but the flights represent a growing threat to the alliance.

The intent of the Russian practice was not immediately clear to the NATO air policing commanders and Combined Air Operations Centre in Torrejon, Spain. But, it underscored the importance of the mission to protect the skies over what defense officials say is the NATO front line in the Russian war with Ukraine.

airforcemag

Congress blocks USAF A-10 retirement

Last year, the Air Force announced it wanted to retire 42 A-10C Thunderbolt II planes, all but seven of which are housed at the Tucson base. Dumping those jets in 2022 would have made room to bring testing and training for the A-10 and the HH-60 combat search-and-rescue helicopter from Nellis AFB in Nevada to Davis-Monthan.

Davis-Monthan is home to A-10Cs, HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, HC-130 Hercules transport jets and the EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare planes. It’s been on the cusp of change for years: Officials have tried and failed multiple times to dump at least some of the Air Force’s 280 or so A-10s in favor of longer-range, stealthy platforms, and are replacing Pave Hawks and Compass Calls with newer models.

The Air Force wanted to move Nellis’s A-10 weapons instructor course and test and evaluation work to Arizona this year. The HH-60G’s advanced tactics course for instructors, test and combat units would join them in 2024.

defensenews

Slovakia has provided its S-300 air defense 'legacy' systems to Ukraine

Slovak Defence Minister said the United States will deploy a Patriot air defense system in his country next week.

Announcement came shortly after Slovakia donated its Soviet-era S-300 air defense system to Ukraine at its request that Slovakia was willing to provide its S-300 to Ukraine on condition it has a proper replacement.

Additionally, Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to send troops armed with Patriot missiles to Slovakia as part of 2,100-strong force made up of soldiers from several NATO members states, including the U.S. The force will form a battlegroup on Slovak territory to boost NATO defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank.

NATO members Bulgaria, Slovakia and Greece have S-300s, which can fire missiles hundreds of miles and knock out cruise missiles as well as aircraft.

Slovak Prime Minister recently visited the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with top European Union officials, ahead of a planned meeting with Ukrainian President.

Zelenskyy had mentioned S-300s by name when he spoke to U.S. lawmakers by video last month, appealing for defense systems that would allow Ukraine to “close the skies” to Russian planes and missiles.

defensenews

NEWS 2022 March, 22

USAF deploys F-16s from Aviano AB to Croatia

Two F-16s deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Croatia on March 16, taking part in  combat employment exercises and bolstering NATO’s southeastern flank, the Air Force announced.

The F-16 fighters’ arrival comes just a few days after a military drone crashed in the Croatian capital of Zagreb amid nearby war between Russia and Ukraine. Croatian officials say the drone had a bomb, but they have not determined whether it was Russian or Ukrainian. The incident has led Croatian leaders to criticize NATO for a perceived slow response.

On March 15, Newsweek reported that Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in a press conference that the U.S. would send the F-16s to “give support of Croatia’s security.”

A subsequent press release from U.S. Air Forces in Europe stated that the fighters would deploy to Croatia’s 91st Air Base at Pleso, just outside the capital.

This marks just the latest deployment of USAF fighters to Eastern Europe. In the lead-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, F-16s deployed to Romania, F-15s went to Poland, and F-35s landed in Germany. As the invasion first unfolded, F-35s from Germany were deployed to NATO’s eastern flank, including Romania. A B-52 also deployed to the region around the same time, as part of what USAFE called a “long-planned Bomber Task Force Europe mission over the Arctic and Baltic Sea regions.”

airforcemag 

NATO deploys Patriot missiles to Slovakia

The Patriot air defence system has started arriving in Slovakia from NATO countries.

The system will be operated by German and Dutch troops and will initially be deployed at the Sliac airport to help reinforce the defence of NATO's eastern flank.

The Patriot system will be part of a new NATO battlegroup in Slovakia, which neighbours Ukraine.

Russia has warned against any shipments of advanced air defences to Ukraine and has warned it may target Western arms supplies.

reuters

Production of first New Zealand P-8 has started

Boeing has “laid the keel” of the first P-8A destined for the New Zealand Defence Force, . New Zealand holds orders for four of the jets.

Aircraft keels run the length of fuselage bellies, though P-8 keels have “unique aspects of the P-8 configuration, such as the integration of an internal weapons bay”, Boeing says.

The New Zealand Defence Force will use the Boeing-built maritime patrol aircraft, powered by CFM International CFM56 turbofans, to replace six ageing Lockheed P-3K2 Orion turboprops.

Current operators include the armed forces of Australia, India, Norway, the United Kingdom and the USA. Customers yet to begin flying the jets include Germany, New Zealand and South Korea.

flightglobal

MiG-31 Still Strong launching Kinzhal Hypersonyc Missiles in Ukraine war

Russia announced the use of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Dagger) air-launched high-speed ballistic missile for the first time against a target in Ukraine on 19 March.

A video released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Russian Federation purportedly showed the missile being used against a Ukrainian ammunition depot in the west of the country.

janes

NEWS 2022 March, 20

Slovakia agrees to Provide S-300s and MiG-29s to Ukraine

Slovakia has agreed to provide its S-300 air defense systems and MiG-29s to Ukraine “immediately” if it can get “proper” replacements in a timely manner, according to Slovak defense minister in a joint press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary.

“We are willing” to provide what he called the “legacy” systems to Ukraine, Slovak defense minister said. “We’re willing to do so immediately when we have a proper replacement.

Slovakia is set to receive 14 new F-16 Block 70 fighters, but the delivery of those jets has been delayed a year, from 2023 to 2024.

Javorcik said the MiG-29s will be phased out in October 2023, regardless of whether the new jets are available.

airforcemag

United States to supply Ukraine with anti-armour vehicles 'Kamikaze drones'

A new US government aid package to Ukraine may include AeroVironment Switchbladedrones

designed to take out light-armoured vehicles.

The White House on 16 March disclosed it will provide Ukraine with an additional $800 million in the form of “direct transfers of equipment”, building atop a previous $200 million.

The latest package calls for Washington to supply the embattled government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an assortment of military equipment, including “100 tactical unmanned aerial systems”.

flightglobal

Egypt likely to receive F-15s

A top US general today told lawmakers that he believes the US will provide F-15 fighter aircraft to Egypt.

“In the case of Egypt, I think we have good news in that we’re going to provide them with F-15s,” Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. It “was a long, hard slog” to get such a deal set up, he added.

The United States, in recent history, has hesitated to provide arms to Egypt largely due to the 2013 military coup aimed at removing the country’s then-president Mohamed Morsi. The State Department halted several pending sales of helicopters, fighter jets, tank components and anti-ship missiles immediately following the Egyptian military’s actions to voice displeasure over human rights crackdowns that followed the coup.

The successful sale of F-15s to Egypt could also have second-order effects on the 2018 deal Egypt made with Russia for $2 billion in Su-35 fighter jets.

breakingdefense

Slovakia receives first C-27J Spartan airlifter

Slovakia officially inducted into its inventory the first of two Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft on 31 October.
The twin-engined turboprop, which actually arrived in-country the previous week, was welcomed into service during a ceremony at Malacky-Kuchyna air base near the Austrian border. Malacky-Kuchyna is home to the Slovak Air Force’s (Vzdusné sily Slovenskej Republiky) transport wing which currently fields the Let L-410 Turbolet twin-turboprop cargo aircraft.
Slovakia has acquired the C-27J to replace the already-retired Warsaw Pact-era Antonov An-26 ‘Curl’ airlifters it inherited with the split from the Czech Republic in 1993. Following a protracted procurement process that lasted about six years, a contract was signed in 2014 that was estimated to be worth EUR120 million (USD152 million at the time).
This first aircraft was due to have been delivered in 2016, and the Slovak Ministry of Defence noted that negotiations are ongoing with Alenia Aermacchi’s parent company Leonardo with regard to penalty fees resulting from its late arrival. The second C-27J is now scheduled to arrive at Malacky-Kuchyna at the beginning of 2018.
janes

Slovakia Looks to Replace Mig-29s with Gripens

Slovakia is set to go ahead with leasing external link Saab’s Gripen jet fighter, although final contracts will not be signed until after elections due in March. The Gripens will replace the Mig-29 fighters currently on loan to the Slovak Air Force after the current lease ends this year. A more cost effective way of obtaining a fleet, leasing six to eight Gripens between now and 2029 is estimated external link to cost about $340 million.
defenseindustrydaily

Slovakia Confirms Interest in Upgrading Its S-300 Missile System

Slovakia confirms its interest in the modernization of the Russian S-300 missile defense system, Slovakian Prime Minister said Tuesday.
“I would like to confirm the Slovak Republic’s interest if we’re talking about the modernization of the S-300 system,” Prime Minister said during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
sputniknews

Slovak 'Hip' replacement settles on nine Black Hawks

Slovakia announced on 29 April that it will buy nine Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopters.
The MoD will procure the helicopters via the US Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The procurement price will include full life-cycle support for the aircraft as well as training for aircrews and ground personnel.
janes

Slovakia in talks with Sweden on Gripen jet fighters

In its effort to boost defence capabilities, Slovakia is set to begin official talks on the rental of Gripen jet fighters from Sweden.
Details of the costs and number of Gripens to be used in Slovakia are still to be elaborated during the talks.
The Slovak Armed Forces currently have Mig-29.
There is still the possibility to continue with current jet fighters for which the license ends in November 2016, or Slovakia might agree with some ally on the protection of air space.
spectator

Potential FMS of 9 UH-60Ms Black Hawk to Slovakia

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Slovakia for UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and associated equipment.
The Government of Slovakia has requested a possible sale of nine UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters in standard U.S. Government configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE); twenty T700-GE-701D Engines (18 installed and 2 spares); twenty Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems; two Aviation Mission Planning Systems; one Aviation Ground Power Unit; eleven AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe Transponders; twenty Very High Frequency (VHF)/Digitally Selective Calling AN/ARC-231 radios; eleven ARN-147 VHF Omni Ranging/Instrument Landing System (VOR/ILS); eleven AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation Systems; and eleven AN/ARC-201D Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems radios. Also included are aircraft warranty, ammunition, air worthiness support, facility construction, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, site surveys, tool and test equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related element of program and logistics support.
dsca

Slovakia eyes Black Hawk buy

Slovakia is leaning towards the purchase of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters after receiving promises from the US government over support for the acquisition.
Slovak defence minister,said that new rotorcraft could be acquired through the Foreign Military Sales mechanism.
The helicopters would arrive gradually, but the first two examples could potentially be delivered by year-end.
flightglobal

Slovakia considering US Black Hawk offer

Slovakia is seriously considering an offer proposed by the US government to procure nine Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the US via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
Slovakia is seeking to replace its fleet of Russian-made Mi-17 'Hip' medium transport helicopters because of the cost of their maintenance and to reduce dependence on supplies of spare parts from Russia.
In September the MoD announced plans to procure two Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft. The MoD is now looking to retire its MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighters and Mi-17 helicopters, and replace them with Western aircraft.
janes

Slovakia approves purchase of two C-27J

Slovakia military will purchase two Italian tactical transport aircraft C-27J Spartan for, the government decided at its October 22 session. This move completes the almost six-year procurement process that began in 2008 in the wake of the crash of military aircraft An-24 close to Hungarian village Hejce in which 42 Slovaks died.
spectator

Slovakian C-27J contract imminent

Slovakia's longstanding aim to buy new transport aircraft may soon come to fruition, with the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) announcing it hopes to sign a contract to acquire two Alenia Aermacchi C-27J by 30 September.
Slovakian Defence Ministersaid that he hoped to "finalise [a] contract for the purchase of two Spartan aircraft. Our ambition is to complete the process by 30 September".
Slovakia has long sought to buy new tactical transport aircraft to replace its aging Antonov An-24 'Coke' and An-26 'Curl' transporters. However, despite the fatal crash of an An-24 in 2006 giving the purchase urgency and the downselect of the C-27J for the requirement in December 2008, budgetary issues had stalled the acquisition by 2009. Talks with Alenia were understood to have been resumed by Slovakia in 2012, and a MC-27J was present at SIAF 2014.
According to a Slovak MoD statement, the purchase still needs approval from the Slovak Security Council and the government. The MoD noted however that the deal was an approved part of the Slovak Air Force's long-term development plan.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic had at one point considered the joint-acquisition of tactical transport aircraft. However, while the Czech Republic selected the Airbus C295 in 2008, Slovakia decided that the C295's internal dimensions were too small to suit its needs.
janes

Czech, Slovak Militaries Launch Joint Air Patrols, Eye Arms Procurement

Under an agreement signed by the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the countries’ air forces will launch joint air patrols in January. The initiative has been debated for years, but was recently accelerated by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
In addition to air patrols, increased cooperation between the Slovak and Czech militaries will also include special forces operations and military procurements.
Under the plan, the first joint procurements are to include radars and personal weapons for Czech and Slovak troops.
To increase its air combat capability, the Slovak Air Force is also planning to replace its MiG-29 fighter jets with new aircraft. According to senior defense officials, the most likely scenario is the acquisition of Saab JAS 39 Gripen also operated by the Czech Air Force.
defensenews

Czech, Slovaks to connect their fighter squadrons

The Czech Republic and Slovakia will connect their fighter squadrons in a few months before Slovakia also acquires the Jas-39 Gripen fighters which the Czech military has decided to lease for another 12 years.
Both countries’ working groups are now finishing up details.
The Slovak air force has now eight Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters.
The Czech government recently approved the extension of the contract on the lease of 14 Swedish Jas-39 Gripen supersonic fighters until 2027.
Both countries airspaces will be partially interconnected and Czech Gripens or Slovak MiGs will be able to enter the other country’s airspace within cross-border operations.
Such situations may occur if Gripens accompany a plane that does not communicate with a ground controller. They will be allowed to pursue it as far as the Slovak-Ukrainian or Slovak-Hungarian borders.
Both Czech and Slovak fighter squadrons should be more closely interconnected after 2016 when the service contract on MiG-29s expires. Slovakia will probably buy or lease up to eight fighters from the West, while Gripens are favorites.
If the CzechRepublic and Slovakia had the same type of supersonic fighters, a joint squadron would be formed with one main and one minor air base.
The Czech and Slovak governments have planned meetings to debate a joint protection of the countries’ airspaces where a few agreements are to be signed.
A joint purchase of airport radars has long been considered.
praguepost

Slovakia to replace Mig29s with Swedish JAS39

Slovakia is considering ordering Swedish JAS-39 Gripen jets to replace its fleet of Russian MiG-29s.
Although U.S. F-16 remains an option, the Slovak Defense Ministry appears to be inclined toward Gripen, because the European jet is cheaper and less demanding in maintenance.
Another factor favoring Gripen is Slovakia's plan to create a joint squadron with the neighboring Czech Republic, which has rented 14 Gripens for nine years and is preparing to extend the contract.
macedoniaonline