BRATISLAVA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia's Defence Ministry has signed a 25-million-euro (about 27 million U.S. dollars) agreement with U.S. company Lockheed Martin over the supply of spare parts and repair services for its F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter jets through the end of 2030.
According to reports of the News Agency of the Slovak Republic on Saturday, Lockheed Martin will deliver comprehensive support services, including dedicated account management, priority program assistance, source control and warranty coordination, and aircraft-on-ground coverage support.
Slovakia signed a contract for 14 F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter jets in late 2018 as part of a broader effort to modernize its air force. However, deliveries were delayed due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first fighter jets arrived at a military airbase in the Bratislava region in the summer of 2024. Although Slovakia now already owns all 14 aircraft, several jets remain in the United States while Slovak pilots continue their training program. ■
