Slovakia has received all of the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets it ordered. Lockheed Martin handed over the last aircraft at an airbase in the US.
This was reported by the TASR agency.
“Training in Tucson is crucial—it’s not enough to simply have modern aircraft; you also need to know how to use them effectively. After training is complete, all the fighter jets will gradually be flown to Slovakia,” stated the Slovak military.
Slovakia signed a contract in December 2018 for the delivery of 14 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets in single-seat and two-seat C/D versions, worth €1.58 billion.
The new American-made aircraft are intended to replace the obsolete MiG-29s that were in service with the Slovak Air Force until they were transferred to Ukraine in 2023.
The agreement with Lockheed Martin provided not only for the delivery of the aircraft but also for the training of 22 pilots, as well as 160 officers and ground crew personnel.
The first two aircraft of this type were formally handed over to the Slovak Air Force in January 2024, but they remained in the US for flight crew training. They arrived in Slovakia in July 2024. The new fighter jets were assigned to the 1st Fighter Squadron of the 81st Air Wing at Sliač Air Base.
In late December 2025, Lockheed Martin announced the completion of production of all 14 F-16 Block 70 fighters intended for the Slovak Air Force.
A significant milestone for the country was the signing of an agreement between the Slovak company Letecké opravovne Trenčín and the Norwegian firm Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services regarding the maintenance and repair of F-16s in Slovakia.
Thanks to this collaboration, the aircraft will be maintained and repaired at the LOTN facility in Trenčín, which is wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
Previously, the company specialized in repairing L-39 Albatros trainer-combat aircraft, L-410 Turbolet transport aircraft, and Mi-8 helicopters.
In early February 2026, Slovakia began negotiations with the United States regarding the purchase of four additional F-16 fighter jets. The government justified the need to expand the air fleet by its desire to ensure full sovereignty in defending its airspace.
