Slovakia has just received the first 2 of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the United States, the delivery of which was delayed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic and a shortage of microchips.
This was reported by Yevropeiska Pravda with reference to AP.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini welcomed the arrival of the F-16s at the Kucina air base in the west of the country.
He noted that the F-16s “will significantly contribute to the defense capability of our country.”
The remaining 12 aircraft will be gradually delivered to Slovakia over the next two years.
In 2018, the Slovak government signed a $1.8 billion deal to purchase 14 American F-16 Block 70/72 fighters to replace outdated Soviet MiG-29s. Pellegrini was then serving as prime minister.
Under the previous government, Slovakia mothballed its MiGs in the summer of 2022 due to a lack of spare parts and specialists to maintain them.
Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 23/07/2024