Arrival of Three F-16 Fighter Jets in Slovakia Postponed Due to Weather

Kuchyna, 18 December (TASR) - The scheduled arrival of three new F-16 fighter jets at the military airbase in Kuchyna near Malacky (Bratislava region) won't take place on Thursday, Slovak army spokesman Stefan Zemanovic has informed TASR, adding that this is due to unfavourable weather conditions. An alternative date for the arrival of the aircraft in Slovakia hasn't yet been announced. "The arrival of three F-16 aircraft had to be put back due to the current weather conditions. Given the weather forecast for the next few days, we are currently unable to set the exact date on which these aircraft will be delivered to Kuchyna airbase," said Zemanovic, specifying that one two-seat and two single-seat fighters are in the frame. The spokesman also said that Slovakia's airspace is still being protected by the Poles, Hungarians and Czechs and that Slovakia should be able to take over this task in mid-2026. The technical equipment necessary for flights related to airspace protection is already on Slovak territory, said Zemanovic. Following its reconstruction, the airbase in Sliac (Banska Bystrica region) should serve as the primary base for the fighters, he added. Slovakia signed a contract for 14 US-made F-16 C/D Block 70 fighters at the end of 2018. Delivery of the aircraft was delayed due to the pandemic. The first aircraft arrived at the military airbase in Kuchyna in the summer of last year. Seven have arrived in Slovakia so far. American arms company Lockheed Martin recently announced that it's completed the production of all F-16 Block 70 fighters for Slovakia and Bulgaria. ko/df