| Slovak Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky | |
 Emblem of the Slovak Air Force | |
| Founded | 1 January 1993; 32 years ago (1993-01-01) |
| Country |  Slovak Republic |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size |
|
| Part of | Slovak Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Zvolen |
| Commanders | |
| Air Force Commander | Major General Róbert Tóth[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |   |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-16V Block 70 |
| Helicopter | Mil Mi-17,UH-60M |
| Reconnaissance | L-410UVP-E |
| Trainer | Aero L-39 |
| Transport | C-27J,Let L-410 |
TheSlovak Air Force, known since 2002 as theAir Force of the Armed Forces of theSlovak Republic (Slovak:Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky), is theaviation andair defense branch of theSlovak Armed Forces. Operating 15aircraft and 18 helicopters from three air bases :Malacky–Kuchyňa,Sliač,Prešov. It succeeded theCzechoslovak Air Force together with theCzech Air Force in 1993. The Slovak Air Force is part of NATO Integrated Air Defense System –NATINADS.[2][3][4][5][6]
The Slovak Air Force is tasked with the defense of the sovereign Slovak state and the support of the nation's ground troops.[7] Following the retirement of theMikoyan MiG-29 in 2022, 7 L-39 Albatros provide the fast-jet capability role to the air force, awaiting the delivery of AmericanF-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in 2024. 6 Let-410 Turbolet aircraft provide surveillance and transport capabilities, while 2 C-27 Spartan transports provide a light tactical airlift capability. The helicopter fleet consists of 9 Mil Mi-17, gradually being replaced by theUH-60 Black Hawk.
The Slovak Air Force has been under the command ofMajor General Róbert Tóth since January 1, 2021.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
Many Slovak pilots served inAustro-Hungarian Aviation Troops or inEntente air forces. Some Slovak pilots as part ofCzechoslovak Legionnaires served even inFrench Air Force orImperial Russian Air Service.[14]
Jozef Kiss and Fritz Wowy were two of the best Slovak pilots inWorld War I.[15]
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Much of Austria-Hungary's manufacturing companies were Czech, therefore Czechoslovakia could quickly develop anaircraft industry. As the industry developed it designed more aircraft and engines of its own. Czechoslovak aircraft builders includedAero,Avia,Beneš-Mráz,Letov,Praga,Tatra andZlín. Engine makers includedČKD,Walter andŠkoda.
After the division ofCzechoslovakia byNazi Germany in 1939, Slovakia was left with a small air force composed primarily of Czechoslovak combat aircraft. This force defended Slovakia against Hungary in 1939, and took part in the invasion of Poland in support of Germany. During theWorld War II, the Slovak Air force was charged with the defense of Slovak airspace, and, after the invasion of Russia, provided air cover for Slovak forces fighting against theSoviet Union on theEastern Front. While engaged on the Eastern Front, Slovakia's obsolete biplanes were replaced with German combat aircraft, including theMesserschmitt Bf 109. The air force was sent back to Slovakia after combat fatigue and desertion had reduced the pilots' effectiveness. Slovak air units took part in theSlovak National Uprising against Germany from late August 1944.[16][17][18]
During this time Czechoslovakia was a member of theEastern Bloc, allied with theSoviet Union, and from 1955 a member of theWarsaw Pact. Because of this, the Czechoslovak Air Force used Soviet aircraft, doctrines, and tactics. The types of aircraft were mostlyMiGs.MiG-15,MiG-19, andMiG-21F fighters was produced in license; in the 1970s,MiG-23MF were bought, accompanied byMiG-23ML andMiG-29s in the 1980s.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Czechoslovak Air Force consisted of the 7th Air Army, which had air defense duties, and the 10th Air Army, responsible for ground forces support.[19] The 7th Air Army had two air divisions and three fighter regiments, and the 10th Air Army had two air divisions and a total of six regiments of fighters and attack aircraft. There were also two reconnaissance regiments, two transport regiments, three training regiments, and two helicopter regiments.
In November 1989 Communism fell across Czechoslovakia. The two parliaments of the two new states from 1993, theCzech Republic andSlovakia, decided how to split the assets of the former air force. The assets were divided 2:1 in the Czechs' favor, and thus the Slovak Air Force was (re)formed. However the 20 MiG 29s were shared equally between the two countries.[20]
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After the formal dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, Czech and Slovak aircraft were divided according to each nation's population, in a ratio of nearly 2:1 in the Czech Republic's favor.[21] The exceptions to this rule were theMiG-23's, which were given exclusively to the Czech Air force, and theMiG-29's, which were divided evenly between the two nations. Slovak bases were initially under-equipped to handle the aircraft transferred from the Czech bases, and required considerable improvements in infrastructure to facilitate the new air force.
On March 1, 1995, the air force replaced the Soviet style aviation regiment organization with the western wing and squadron system.[22]
Around 2000–2002, Slovakia gradually retired many of the older aircraft, including the entire fleet ofSu-22,Su-25, andMiG-21.[23]
In 2004, the flight training academy and national aerobatic demonstration team Biele Albatrosy, both based atKošice, were disbanded.[24][25]
On January 19, 2006, the Slovak Air Force lost anAntonov An-24 in acrash.
On September 20, 2011, all of the remainingMil Mi-24 gunships were retired.[26][27][28][29]
In October 2014, the government approved the purchase of tactical transport aircraftAlenia C-27J Spartan.
In January 2014, Slovakia started discussions with theSwedish Government regarding leasing or purchasingJAS-39 Gripen aircraft to replace theirMiG-29 fighters.[30][31]
In April 2015, the Slovak government announced it would buy nineUH-60M utility helicopters to replace its fleet ofMi-17 helicopters. The deal worth US$261 million includes also full life-cycle support for the aircraft and training for aircrews and ground personnel.[32]
On December 12, 2018, Slovakia signed a contract to acquire 14F-16V/Block 70 with additional equipment. All are to be delivered by 2025.[33] The first completed jet was unveiled by the manufacturer on 7 September 2023,[34] and first two aircraft were delivered to Slovakia on 22 July 2024.[35]
On April 13, 2022, Slovakia was negotiating with Bayraktar about the procurement ofBayraktar TB2. The negotiations been never formally ended.[36][37][38]
On October 13, 2022, Slovakia joinedEuropean Sky Shield Initiative. To strengthen future air defense procurement.
In 2022, Slovakia has donated itsS-300 missile system toUkraine to aid in fighting against theRussian invasion.[39]
On September 6, 2023, Slovakia has started the acquisition of medium and short range air defence missile systems (SHORAD/MRAD) with budget of 200 million Euros. The acquisition of these systems is part of first stage out of three stages. Among the medium-range systems, Slovakia has been choosing these systemsBarak 8,SPYDER,IRIS-T andMICA.[40][41][42] From Short range systems Slovakia was choosing betweenPiorun,RBS 70,Mistral 3 andKP-SAM Chiron.[43] The systems have not yet been purchased, but negotiations with governments about the acquisition have already begun.[44][45]
On February 7, 2024 Slovakia is comparingNASAMS,IRIS-T,KM-SAM with the winners of the past tenderBarak 8.[46]
In August 2024, Slovak government approved plans to buy six mobile air defence systemsBarak 8 from Israel.[47][48]
Following a request for military aid by Ukraine, the Slovak Air Force provided a number of aircraft and equipment as aid. In April, this included the donation of a Soviet eraS-300PMU air defence battery, in addition to 4Mil Mi-17 and oneMil Mi-2 helicopters, through theEuropean Peace Facility.[49][50][51] On 31 August 2022, theSoviet originMiG-29s operated by the Slovak Air Force were retired.[52] An agreement with fellowNATO membersPoland and theCzech Republic was signed in order to establish joint patrols of airspace, until the delivery of AmericanF-16s to the Slovak Air Force in 2024.[53][54] In August 2022 the decision was yet to be made whether the retired MiGs would be donated toUkrainian Air Force as military aid.[55]
On 17 March 2023, after officially retiring the MiG-29 fighters from active service, the Slovak government approved sending 13Mikoyan MiG-29 jet fighters to Ukraine and one MiG-29UBS toMilitary History Museum Piešťany.[56][57] 9 MiG-29AS, 1 MiG-29UBS, 2 MiG-29A and 1 MiG-29UB were sent to Ukraine. 3 of those fighters were missing engines and were intended to serve as a source of spare parts. Ukrainian pilots flew four MiG-29 jet fighters from Slovakia to Ukraine on 23 March in 2023, with the remaining 9 sent at a later date.[58] The military aid included 2KUB missile launchers, radar, spare parts, 52 pieces of 3M9ME missiles and 148 pieces of 3M9ME missiles.[59]
After Slovakia gifted itsS-300 missile system,Germany, theNetherlands and theUnited States deployed theirMIM-104 Patriot systems to cover country's air defense needs.[60][61]
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As a compensation for the aid provided, Slovakia received 200 million EUR for the MiG-29 package and 50 million EUR for the KUB package, both from the European Peace Facility fund. The US offered aid in the form of approximately 66% discount on a package including 12 unusedAH-1Z, training, related equipment and 500Hellfire II missiles. The total value of the package is estimated at 1 billion USD, with 660 million USD paid by the US FMF. Should Slovak government accept the offer, the remaining value of the package, in the amount of 340 million USD, is to be paid by the Slovak government in 3–4 years. The total value of the compensation from both the EU and US is approximately 900 million USD per statement from Ministry of Defence of Slovak Republic. The AH-1Z offer is also provided as a compensation in the context of the delays to SlovakF-16C/D delivery. The Slovak government was expected to make a decision on the AH-1Z offer early into the year 2024. The signing of the deal was threatened due to the change in government after the elections.[62][63][64]
Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak armed forces GeneralDaniel Zmeko was critical of the Slovak MiG-29 jet fighters in the last years. Problems with spare parts and maintenance, which was outsourced to Russia and resulted in four air frames being airworthy on average, while still plagued by a high failure rate occurring every 43 minutes on average, lack of munitions, no modernisation since 1996 and lack of pilots for the old fighter jets.[59][65]
Russian technicians were suspected of sabotage, as per statement from the Minister of DefenseJaroslav Naď. Due to unusual failures occurring on parts serviced only by Russian personnel, as well as other issues with spare parts, a criminal investigation was launched. While police couldn't prove Russia did it on purpose, the findings were enough for the Slovak Army to lose their trust in Russian maintenance crews.[66] The deal with Russia for servicing the jet fighters resulted in a cost of 70,000 EUR per flight hour, higher than the cost of the state of the art 5th generationF-35 Lightning II jet fighter.[67]
The 81st Wing Air Base should function as standard base for all fighter aircraft as well as trainer aircraft of Slovak Air Force. But because of reconstruction of the base, all aircraft were relocated to 46th Wing. After the reconstruction of the base is completed, it will again host fighter and trainer jets such asF-16 Block 70/72 andAero L-39.
The 46th Wing is at the moment only active air base of Slovak Air Force that is able to hostfighter jets as well assubsonic aircraft. But is meant to be home for all transport aircraft asAlenia C-27J Spartan andLet L-410 Turbolet.[73]
The 51st Wing is the home base for all helicopters of Slovak Air Force, which also includes a helicopter repair company. The air base operates 19 helicopters, 10Mil Mi-17 and 9Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks.[74]
The 2nd Zvolen Air Force Brigade is the Air Force Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic based in Zvolen. The brigade is a part of the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINADS).[75]
In charge of protecting military objects, critical infrastructure and civilian objects. Anti-air defense systems it fields :
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-to-air missile | |||
| AIM-120 AMRAAM |  United States | Beyond-visual-range missile | 28 missiles were bought.[76][77] |
| AIM-9 Sidewinder | United States | Air-to-air missile | 100 missiles were bought.[77] |
| LAU-127 | United States | Missile rail launcher | 60 launchers were bought[76] |
| R-60 |  Soviet Union | Air-to-air missile | Unknown number in storage[78] |
| Rocket | |||
| S-5 rocket | Soviet Union | Unguided missile | Used byMil Mi-17.[79] |
| Rotary cannons andAutocannons | |||
| M61 Vulcan | United States | Rotary cannon | 15 bought forF-16 Fighting Falcon.[76] |
| GSh-23L | Soviet Union | Autocannon | Mounted onAero L-39/ZAM .[80] |
| Machine guns | |||
| M240H | United States | Machine guns | [81] |
| General-purpose bomb | |||
| Mark 82 | United States | Unguided bomb | 324 bombs bought for F-16 Fighting Falcon.[76] |
| JDAM | United States | Precision-guided munition | 150 kits bought for F-16 Fighting Falcon.[76] |
| GBU-12 Paveway II | United States | Precision-guided munition | 212 bombs bought for F-16 Fighting Falcon.[76][77] |
| GBU-49 | United States | Precision-guided munition | 20 bombs bought for F-16 Fighting Falcon.[82] |
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| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | |||||
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | United States | Multirole | F-16C Block 70 | 7[83][84] | 7 on order:[85] 1 to be delivered in 2025, 6 in 2026[86] |
| Transport | |||||
| Alenia C-27J | Italy | Transport | 2[87] | ||
| L-410 Turbolet | Czech Republic | Transport | L-410UVP-E | 6[87] | One used forreconnaissance |
| Embraer C-390 Millennium | Brazil | Transport | C-390 | 0 | Slovak Air Force selected the C390 in December 2024.[88][89] Negotiations to purchase three aircraft have started.[89] |
| Bombardier Global 5000 | Canada | Business jet /Medevac[90] | G5000 | 1[91] | 1 on order[92] |
| Helicopters | |||||
| Mil Mi-17 | Russia | SAR /Utility | M/LPZS | 13[87] | |
| UH-60 Black Hawk | United States | Utility | UH-60M | 9[87] | 2UH-60M, 12UH-60L on order.[93] |
| Trainer aircraft | |||||
| Aero L-39 | Czech Republic | Jet trainer | L-39CM/ZAM | 9[87] | |
| UAVs | |||||
| Elbit Skylark | Israel | UAV | I-LEX | 5[94] | Assigned to5th Regiment. |
Note: FiveNorthrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks are available through theAlliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) program based in Italy.[95]
Previous aircraft operated include theMiG-21,MiG-29,Sukhoi Su-22,Sukhoi Su-25,Aero L-29,Antonov An-12,Antonov An-24,Antonov An-26,Mil Mi-2, and theMil Mi-24 helicopter.[96][97]
| Name | Origin | Type | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAM | ||||
| Barak MX | Israel | HIMAD | 0 | 6 batteries on order, 18 launchers total with missiles of 45km, 75km and 150km range.[98][99] |
| 2K12 Kub 2M | Soviet Union | SHORAD | 5 batteries | Tracked medium-rangesurface-to-air missile system.[100] Two launchers with additional equipment were donated toUkraine in 2022.[59] |
| MANTIS | Germany | VSHORAD | 2 batteries | 2 systems donated byGermany[101] Equipment delivered to the 11th Air Force Brigade.[102] |
| 9K38 Igla2[100] | Soviet Union | MANPADS | 50[44] | Portable infrared homingS-to-A missile system. To be replaced. |
The Air Force has several types of radars under its command, including 17 IsraeliEL/M-2084[103] in various medium and short range variants. The Air Force also operates 5 long-range LÜR surveillance radars fromGermany and few units ofVERA passive radar.[104]
The rank insignia ofcommissioned officers.
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slovak Air Force[105] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
| Generál | Generálporučík[a] | Generálmajor | Brigádny generál | Plukovník | Podplukovník | Major | Kapitán | Nadporučík | Poručík | |||||||||||||||
The rank insignia ofnon-commissioned officers andenlisted personnel.
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slovak Air Force[105] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Štábny nadrotmajster | Nadrotmajster | Rotmajster | Rotný | Čatár | Desiatnik | Slobodník | Vojak 2. stupňa | Vojak 1. stupňa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Slovak aircraft marking is a set made of shield with national cross on three hills which point towards the belly of aircraft. They are the same color as theSlovak flag, red, white, and blue. It appears on the side of helicopters and on both sides of the wings and tail of aircraft. FutureF-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft should wear aNATO standard compliant grey-on-grey (low-visibility) version of the Slovak Air Forceinsignia.
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