The first two new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin have arrived in Slovakia. The jets landed at the Malacky air base in the west of the country on Monday evening, July 23. The Slovakian President, Peter Pellegrini, welcomed their arrival, highlighting that the F-16s would significantly enhance the country’s defense capabilities. The Slovak Air Force will receive a total of 14 F-16V combat aircraft in the Block 70 configuration, replacing the obsolete MiG-29 fighter jets. The EUR 1.58 billion agreement to purchase the aircraft from Lockheed Martin was signed in December 2018 and includes training for pilots and ground services personnel. The production of the contracted number of fighters is expected to last until 2025. This acquisition aims to strengthen Slovakia’s air defense capabilities and enable its participation in international operations led by NATO.
Sources: Militarnyi
ملخص الأخبار
- وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي تنشر صورا وفيديوهات عن وصول الطائرات الحربية الجديدة المصنعة في الولايات المتحدة.
- توجيه تدريب لـ 22 طيارا و160 ضابطا وجنديا على خدمات الأرض كجزء من الاتفاق بقيمة 1.58 مليار يورو، الذي تم توقيعه في ديسمبر 2018.
- أول طائرة F-16 للقوات الجوية السلوفاكية أجرت اختبار رحلتها الأولى في سبتمبر 2023.
