Slovakia to be first in Europe to receive modernised F-16

The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Air Force was unveiled at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina, facility during a visit by Slovakia’s Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár.

The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this new, more powerful version of the Fighting Falcon, Aviacionline reports. 

“These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. “This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic and allies.”

This F-16 Block 70 is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic, where they will replace the current fleet of MiG-29 Fulcrum, inherited from the Soviet era. Some of these fighters have already been transferred to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Slovak F-16 Block 70s will be armed with AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AIM-120C7 AMRAAM medium-range missiles and a few hundred smart bombs such as GBU-12s, GBU-49s and GBU-38s (JDAMs). Some AN/AAQ-33 Sniper designation pods (also produced by Lockheed Martin) were purchased to equip these aircraft with optronic all-weather target detection and precision weapons guidance capability.