BRATISLAVA – April 6, 2025 – Slovakia took another significant step in modernizing its air defense capabilities with the arrival of two more F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, bringing the current total to five out of 14 scheduled aircraft deliveries from Lockheed Martin.
According to the Slovak Ministry of Defense, the aircraft bearing Slovak national markings departed from Donaldson Field Airport in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 31 at approximately 12:00 CET, stopping in Spain before arriving at Kuchyňa Air Base at 13:15 on Wednesday.
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A New Era in Supersonic Air Power
The newly arrived jets—designated F-16C tail numbers 1005 and 1007—joined three others previously delivered, including the first two that arrived on July 22, 2024, amid a ceremonial welcome, and a third delivered on December 12, 2024.
Slovakia is the first European country to receive the latest generation F-16 Block 70 variant, signaling a major advancement in its military aviation capabilities. The delivery includes 12 single-seat F-16Cs and two dual-seat F-16Ds, enabling a broad range of combat and training missions.
Regional Cooperation
Notably, the flight from the United States also included Bulgaria’s first F-16, reflecting a growing NATO-wide effort to phase in advanced multi-role fighters across Eastern Europe.
Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) emphasized the strategic importance of these jets, stating that they will ensure airspace protection at the highest level for decades to come. He also hinted at the possibility of ordering four additional aircraft to further reinforce national defense.
“Slovakia’s investment in the F-16 Block 70 is a leap toward top-tier air security and alignment with NATO standards,” said the defense ministry in a statement.
As tensions rise across Europe, particularly along NATO’s eastern flank, Slovakia’s air fleet modernization underscores the region’s evolving defense posture.
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