Slovakia’s defence ministry says F-16 Block 70 fighters have begun national air policing duties

Slovakia's F-16 Block 70 fighters began national air-policing duties on October 28, 2026, restoring a sovereign capability absent since the MiG-29 fleet retired in September 2022. Allied Polish, Czech and Hungarian aircraft had provided coverage during the transition, which was prolonged partly by shortages of trained maintenance personnel. Slovakia accepted the last of its original fourteen fighters in April 2026, with ten aircraft in-country and four retained in the United States for training until their expected relocation in 2028. A separate September decision authorized four additional two-seat aircraft for approximately €390 million, with payments extending through 2030.