A few days ago, Slovakian Defense Minister Martin Sklenár presented it at the Slovak International Air Fest (-> here you can find the highlights) – now he was actually able to take advantage of the “historic window”, at least for him (new elections will be held in Slovakia – once again – at the end of September), and in Greenville, South Carolina, together with Orlando Sanchez (Vice President of the “Integrated Fighter Group” at manufacturer Lockheed Martin) to unveil the first of 14 F-16C/D Block-70 fighter aircraft of the (SVK) Vzdušné sily Slovenskej Republiky.
Minister Sklenár: “After the delivery of the fleet, Slovakia will be the first European country to operate this latest and most powerful version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16C/D Block 70 has numerous advanced features and will guarantee the highest standards of airspace security in Slovakia for decades to come. I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to see the first fighter jet that will ensure the defense capability of our country for decades to come. This is not only Slovakia’s largest investment project in the modernization of our armed forces, but also an excellent opportunity to deepen our strategic partnership.”
Orlando Sanchez: “These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay one step ahead of threats in the region and be an essential part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world. This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic and all its allies.”
“this fighter jet will ensure the defense capability of our country for decades to come.
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Slowakeis Verteidigungsminister Martin Sklenár
The contract for twelve one-seaters and two two-seaters was signed back in 2018. After delays due to coronavirus and the relocation of production from Fort Worth to Greenville, Slovakia will be the first European country to receive the Block-70 standard of the widely used US fighter jet. Slovakia has also ordered AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM (now only C8) and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles with the aircraft. The order was ultimately worth around 1.7 billion euros, almost half less than in the usual US congressional announcements. https://militaeraktuell.at/made-in-britain-panzerwagen-von-crossley/ 2024 will be ramped up in Sliac
The first aircraft (tactical number 1001, FMS 20-4001, design number EY-01) is still waiting to be fully equipped, with flight/acceptance tests scheduled for this November. The Slovak Ministry of Defense delegation was also briefed on the progress of the production of the other 13 F-16 jets, with preparations involving teams of experts at the individual level on track to ensure that the first two aircraft are available for training Slovak F-16 technicians in the US, according to Slovak Armaments Director Michal Homza. Slovakian pilots are already on site. “Based on the current agreement, the first four F-16/70s will then gradually arrive in Slovakia from the second quarter of next year,” he said.
… and LOTN Trenčín to participate
As the ministry in Bratislava emphasized in a press release, the strategic partnership with Lockheed Martin and the USA also offers opportunities for the participation of national industry, including the establishment of cooperation between the Slovakian state-owned aircraft repair company Trenčín (LOTN) and Lockheed Martin as an F-16 manufacturer. This involves LOTN’s future involvement in the maintenance of some aircraft components. In addition, LOTN will be responsible for the implementation of the Integrated Logistics Information and Automation System (ILIAS) to support the implementation and maintenance of the Slovakian F-16 Block 70 fleet. As a practical result of this cooperation, a donation of 170,000 euros from the US manufacturer to the Central Military Hospital in Ružomberok to repair fire damage to the surgical pavilion is also mentioned.
Block-70/72
The newly built F-16 Level Block 70/72 (the numbers stand for either the General Electric F100-GE-129D engine or, in Block 72, the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229) are not to be confused with the designation F-16V for older versions upgraded to 70/72 (such as in Taiwan or Greece). Their AN/APG-83 active beam scanning (AESA) so-called “Scalable Agile Beam Radar” was developed by Northrop Grumman and replaces the AN-APG-80 used in the Block 60 aircraft such as in the UAE. This latest version has a new flight control computer, a new mission computer from Raytheon and the Link 16 data link system for exchanging information with fifth-generation fighter aircraft or, for example, the Patriot missile defense system. https://militaeraktuell.at/gdels-steyr-der-pandur-als-fennek-nachfolger/ The F-16 production line in Greenville, which is now up and running (only F-35s are built at the main plant in Fort Worth), is currently expected to run until around 2030, with orders for new Block 70/72 aircraft for Bahrain (16 aircraft), Slovakia (14), Morocco (24), Bulgaria (16) and as a Viper upgrade for Taiwan (66 V) and Greece (83). The company sees a market for up to 300 further sales and has identified interested parties, including Jordan, the Philippines and Indonesia (which are already going for F-15EX and Rafále). Jordan has signed a letter of offer and acceptance for eight new aircraft after the US Congress approved up to twelve F-16C Block 70s and four F-16Ds.
Here for further reports on Lockheed-Martin.
