First two Slovakian F-16 Block 70 fighter jets arrive

Lockheed Martin announced on Wednesday the first two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for Slovakia have been delivered.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, said the delivery is a crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.

“We are proud to be part of this endeavor and are committed to delivering a total of 14 jets to Slovakia,” Sanchez said. “The integration of this proven platform will allow the Slovak Air Force to effectively safeguard its borders and partner with allies across Europe, NATO, and the world.”

Manufactured in Greenville, S.C., the F-16 Block 70 fighters are a testament to advanced engineering and technology, the company said in a press release. “With a current backlog of 135 jets, the production line serves as a cornerstone of national security, offering state-of-the-art F-16 fighter jet capabilities to allies worldwide.”

Six countries are expecting delivery of Block 70/72 aircraft.

Bulgaria has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for an additional eight jets for its fleet. Once the agreement is finalized, the backlog will increase by eight.

Deliveries for Slovakia will continue through 2025, and the first group of jets, known as a ferry cell, is expected to arrive in Slovakia in mid-2024.

The first F-16 Block 70 performed its maiden flight a year ago in Greenville. That jet was the first of 16 to be delivered to Bahrain.

The F-16 is a strategic and valuable choice for many customers around the world seeking advanced fighter aircraft capabilities. More than 3,100 F-16s are operating today in 25 countries. The F-16 has flown an estimated 19.5 million flight hours and at least 13 million sorties.