Slovakia’s air force has decided to exchange Soviet MiG-29s for US F-16s.
Slovakia has ordered 14 F-16V Block 70/72 fighters from the military-industrial corporation Lockheed Martin. They will replace the MiG-29s purchased from the USSR. In addition, the military intends to purchase training planes. A total of 12 aircraft will be purchased by Slovakia from the US, but only four of them will be combat-ready.
The countries have signed a contract worth $800 million. Slovakia will receive the entire order by 2024. After that, Bratislava will join NATO exercises mainly aimed against a likely adversary – Russia.
Initially, the Slovaks planned to buy the Saab Gripen from Sweden. However, the purchase of American fighter jets was insisted on by national party defence minister Peter Gajdos.
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