Lockheed Martin Delivers The First Two F-16 Block 70 Aircraft to the Slovakian Air Force
US aviation giant Lockheed Martin has begun delivering F-16 Block 70 jets to the Slovak Air Force. The first batch of two F-16 Block 70 jets, a single-seat C model and a two-seat D model, was delivered to Slovakia on January 10 during a ceremony at the company’s production facilities in Greenville, South Carolina. However, Lockheed Martin’s statement did not mention whether a Slovak delegation attended the event.
This delivery is part of an intergovernmental agreement signed by the Bratislava government with the United States under the Foreign Military Sales program in 2018. The $1.8 billion deal, Slovenia’s most expensive military purchase to date, includes 12 single-seat F-16C fighter jets and two double-seat F-16D trainer aircraft. Other important aspects of the agreement include training, munitions, and logistics services for Slovak Air Force personnel.
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Integrated Fighter Group, stated about the development: “The delivery of the first two F-16 Block 70 jets to Slovakia signifies a crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities. We are proud to be part of this endeavor and are committed to delivering a total of 14 jets to Slovakia.”
Sanchez went on to say, “The integration of this proven platform will allow the Slovak Air Force to effectively safeguard its borders and partner with allies across Europe, NATO, and the world. We stand committed to our mission of advancing 21st Century Security through cost-effective operations and strategic partnerships, ensuring the safety and well-being of U.S. allies.”
According to Lockheed Martin, the first batch of jets will arrive in Slovakia as part of a “ferry cell” in early 2024. The company plans to deliver the remaining aircraft until 2025. These aircraft will replace the Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets, which Slovakia decommissioned at the end of 2022 and later decided to donate to Ukraine. The Slovak parliament approved the transfer of 13 “MiG-29” fighter jets to the Kyiv administration on March 17, 2023, with the first shipment of four units arriving on March 23, 2023. The remaining nine aircraft were delivered to the Ukrainian Air Force via land in April 2023.
The most modern configuration of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Block 70 jets are distinguished by Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 AESA Radar. This radar is notable for its hardware and software similarities to radars used in the F-35 and F-22. The APG-83 radar can perform high-resolution mapping over large areas and track multiple air and ground targets at the same time, enabling the use of next-generation advanced weapons. In addition to the cutting-edge APG-83 Active electronically scanned array radar, this upgrade, also known as Viper, includes the Legion Pod, an IRST system based on passively finding and tracking targets in the region through heat, without using radar, and the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Electronic Warfare package produced by L3Harris. Because of the increased number of pods and avionics, aircraft in this configuration also have a more modern and advanced cockpit.