Slovakia Plans to Acquire Additional F-16 Block 70 Fighters

Slovakia is in talks with the United States to purchase four additional F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced following a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Bratislava. 

The aircraft would enhance protection of Slovak and allied airspace, with a contract potentially signed later this year.

Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed that the US Congress has approved the potential sale.The move follows Slovakia’s 2023 transfer of 13 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, which created a capability gap.

Slovakia previously ordered 14 F-16 Block 70 jets from Lockheed Martin in 2018. Ten aircraft have already been delivered, with the remaining four expected this year. 

Once pilots reach full operational status, Slovakia’s F-16s will assume NATO air policing duties currently carried out by allied forces.