The first delivery of F-16 fighters should arrive in Slovakia in the second place of 2024
The United States announces a grant for the further modernization development of the Slovak armed forces.
BRATISLAVA. The production and deliveries of F-16 fighter jets for the Slovak armed forces should take place according to the modified schedule, i.e. the first delivery of the aircraft to Slovakia will take place in the second defense situation of 2024, stated the State Secretary of the Ministry, Marian Majer, during a visit to the USA.
The main goal of the Slovak defense delegation in the USA is the first round of defense talks in the Pentagon in the format of the High Level Defense Group, which concerns the defense policies of the USA, Europe and ONTOsituation in aggression of Russia on the Ukrainemutual military cooperation or further deepening of bilateral relations between Slovakia and the USA.
As part of the visit, the US planned several meetings, for example, with Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-16 multirole fighter jets for the Air Force, and also had a delegation led by the Secretary of State, who met with the Director of the Defense Cooperation Agency (DSCA), James Hursch and at the US State Department with Under Secretary Jessica Lewis.
“The USA is the most important for Slovakia within the bilateral defense policy, and I can confirm that our relations are at an excellent level. One of the proofs is the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Slovakia and the USA, regarding the strengthening of bilateral defense cooperation, signed in February of this year,” Majer said on the social network.
According to Majer, on the first day of the negotiations, the American partners highly appreciated Slovakia’s previous and ongoing support for Ukraine, confirmed the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, suggested the possibility of further use of the Foreign Military program Sale for the continuation of the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, they were interested in the development of Slovak public opinion on the issue of the war in Ukraine, the relationship with Russia and membership in NATO, and announced a grant from a special fund of the American government for the further modernization development of the Slovak Armed Forces.
“The last point, if confirmed, will have a significant positive impact on the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic and is a reflection of the deepening and expanding mutual relations between the USA and Slovakia,” added Majer.