Slovakia to purchase 14 F-16 Block 70/72 jet fighters

On 11 July 2017, The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, announced that the country approved the purchase of 14 US-made F-16 Block 70/72 V jet fighters to replace its Russian made MiG-29 jets. Purchase of the F-16 will provide Slovakia with fourth generation fighter aircraft capability that is interoperable with the United States and NATO.

"Based on thorough analyses, we have chosen the best solution because F-16s are top-quality, modern planes, that they have no competition in terms of price, quality and capabilities" Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdos stated in a statement on his ministry's website.

According to a press release published on the DSCA website the estimated cost of the procurement is $2.91 billion. The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.  There are no known offset agreements in conjunction with this sale, however, is it expected that Slovakia will request some amount of industrial participation.  Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

The cabinet preferred the F-16s over Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripens.