Slovakia signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin on 14 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 combat aircraft (12 single and 2 two-seater). The contract was signed on Wednesday with the Vice-President of Lockheed Martin for the development of international business Ana Wugofski. F-16 Block 70/72 combat aircraft will replace Russian MiG-29 aircraft.
"I am pleased to be here today to witness this historic, very important moment," said US Undersecretary of State John J. Sullivan in Bratislava. "This is an important step for Slovakia, because it is its own defense, an important ally of NATO and an important step forward in bilateral relations between the United States and Slovakia," said Sullivan.
The first four aircraft will be delivered by 2022, the rest next year.
Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said his country would pay more than 1.6 billion euros (1.8 billion dollars) for airplanes. The transaction also includes ammunition, training for pilots and other personnel, and logistics services.
"Slovakia declares that it is ready to fulfill its obligations to increase its military budget and achieve the goal of two percent of gross domestic product," said Pellegrini.
Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 - today it is the newest and most modern F-16 on the market. The configuration of the F-16 Block 70/72 includes numerous enhancements to the 4th generation fighter.
Block F-16 70/72 provides enhanced combat capabilities in a scalable and affordable configuration. The core of the F-16 Block 70/72 configuration is a radar with an active electron-scanned grid (AESA), a modern commercial subsystem of on-board electronic equipment (COTS), a high-resolution widescreen display; and high-speed data bus. Operational capabilities are enhanced with Link-16 Theater Data Link, an improved Sniper scope, advanced weapons, accurate GPS navigation and an automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS).
