Lockheed Martin Rolls Out First F-16 Block 70 Jet for Slovak Republic

Slovak Republic’s Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár, unveiled the first F-16C Block 70 aircraft at Lockheed Martin's Greenville, South Carolina facility, earlier today.

The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon.

This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.

The first aircraft is set for November flight trials, with deliveries to Slovakia commencing in Q2 2024.

Slovakia signed a €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion at the time) procurement contract in December 2018, which includes Raytheon AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, training, and support.

The F-16C/D Block 70/72 (F-16V in remanufactured form) is the latest variant, featuring the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 AESA radar (SABR), a new Raytheon mission computer, Link 16 datalink, modern cockpit displays, an enhanced electronic warfare system, and ground-collision avoidance.

These new F-16s will replace Slovakia's retired Russian MiG-29 'Fulcrum' aircraft, which have been donated to Ukraine.