Slovakia Receives First New F-16 Fighter Jets

Slovakia received the first two of 14 new F-16 fighter jets, aiming to replace Russian-made planes it had already donated to Ukraine.

Slovakia has relied on central European neighbors for air patrols since last year when it handed over a dozen MiG-29 fighters, which were to be grounded due to a lack of parts and maintenance, but which Kyiv could use in its war with Russia.

Lockheed Martin and the Slovak Republic announced the arrival of the first F-16 Block 70s in Slovakia, marking a new era in European air defense. F-16 Block 70 fighter jets will enable the Slovak Republic to ensure the protection of its airspace and strengthen European security cooperation across allies.  

Lockheed Martin has produced five F-16 Block 70 jets for Slovakia to-date, with the remaining nine jets for Slovakia all in production. All 14 of Slovakia’s F-16s will be delivered by the end of 2025.  

Since its integration into the U.S. Air Force in late 2014, the Auto GCAS has been instrumental in saving 13 pilots across 12 F-16 incidents, exemplifying the aircraft's unparalleled safety and performance standards. 

Lockheed Martin has a backlog of 128 F-16 Block 70/72 jets to be produced in Greenville, South Carolina, with 12 total jets delivered to-date for international partners. Earlier this month, the company delivered the 4600th F-16, a testament to the continued relevance of the aircraft over five decades. 

NATO member Slovakia, which lies on the military alliance's eastern flank, is set to receive another 12 F-16s by the end of next year.

Slovakia had officially taken over the first jets, made by Lockhead Martin, earlier this year but they had stayed in the United States for maintenance training.