Czech Republic to Continue to Protect Slovakia's Airspace in 2026

Prague/Bratislava, 18 December (TASR-correspondent) - The Czech Republic will also participate in the protection of Slovakia's airspace in 2026, the Czech Defence Ministry announced on social network X on Thursday, adding that the respective declaration was signed during a phone call between new Czech Defence Minister Jaromir Zuna and Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD). "During the phone conversation, they discussed both the defence and defence-industrial cooperation so far between the two countries, as well as the possibility of development in these areas. As part of the talks, a declaration on the protection of Slovakia's airspace was also signed. On its basis, the Czech Republic will participate in the air protection of Slovakia in 2026 as well," said the Czech Defence Ministry. The allies took over the protection of Slovak skies after the grounding of MiG-29 fighters. Slovak army spokesman Stefan Zemanovic said earlier on Thursday that Slovakia's airspace is now being protected by the Poles, Hungarians and Czechs but that Slovakia should be able to take over this task in mid-2026. Slovakia is waiting for all 14 ordered F-16 fighter jets to be delivered, with their manufacturer having handed over seven so far. Three more were supposed to be delivered on Thursday, but their arrival had to be postponed due to unfavourable weather. 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. ko/df