Jump to content

Slovak Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Slovak Air Force
Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky
Emblem of the Slovak Air Force
Founded1 January 1993; 33 years ago (1993-01-01)
Country Slovakia
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size
  • Approx 3,200 personnel
  • 22 aircraft
  • 15 helicopters
Part ofSlovak Armed Forces
Garrison/HQZvolen
Commanders
Air Force CommanderBrigade General Adolf Daubner
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
FighterF-16V Block 70
HelicopterUH-60M, Mil Mi-17
ReconnaissanceL-410FG
TrainerAero L-39CM/ZAM
TransportC-27J, Let L-410UVP

The Slovak Air Force, known since 2002 as the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Slovak: Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky), is the aviation and air defence branch of the Slovak Armed Forces. Operating 22 aircraft and 15 helicopters from three air bases, in Malacky, Sliač, Prešov. It succeeded the Czechoslovak Air Force together with the Czech Air Force in 1993. The Slovak Air Force is part of NATO Integrated Air Defence System – NATINADS.[1][2][3][4][5]

The Slovak Air Force is tasked with the defence of the sovereignty of Slovakia and the support of the nation's ground troops.[6] Following the retirement of the Mikoyan MiG-29s in 2022, 10 F-16 Block 70 and two L-39 Albatros provide the fast-jet capability role to the air force, awaiting the arrival of the final four F-16s in 2027. Six Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft provide surveillance and transport capabilities, while two C-27J Spartan transport aircraft provide a light tactical airlift capability. The helicopter fleet consists of four Mil Mi-17s which are accompanied by 11 much newer UH-60M Black Hawks.

The Slovak Air Force has been under the command of Brigade General Adolf Daubner since August 2025.[7][8]

History

[edit]

1914–1918

[edit]

Many Slovak pilots served in Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops or in Entente air forces. Some Slovak pilots as part of Czechoslovak Legionnaires served even in the French Air Force or the Imperial Russian Air Service.[citation needed]


Jozef Kiss and Fritz Wowy were two of the best Slovak pilots in World War I.[9]

Aero A.30 light bomber and reconnaissance biplane of the Czechoslovak Air Force

1918–1939

[edit]

Much of Austria-Hungary's manufacturing companies were Czech, therefore Czechoslovakia could quickly develop an aircraft industry. As the industry developed, it designed more aircraft and engines of its own. Czechoslovak aircraft builders included Aero, Avia, Beneš-Mráz, Letov, Praga, Tatra and Zlín. Engine makers included ČKD, Walter and Škoda.

1939–1945

[edit]
Messerschmitt Bf 109E of the Slovak Air Force during World War II

After the division of Czechoslovakia by Nazi 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 World War II, the Slovak Air force was tasked with the defence of Slovak airspace, and, after the invasion of Russia, provided air cover for Slovak forces fighting against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. While engaged on the Eastern Front, Slovakia's obsolete biplanes were replaced with German combat aircraft, like the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The air force was sent back to Slovakia after combat fatigue and desertion had reduced the pilots' effectiveness. The Slovak Resistance Air Force took part in the Slovak National Uprising against Germany from late August 1944.[10][11]

1945–1992

[edit]
Retired MiG-21R of the Czechoslovak Air Force

During this time Czechoslovakia was a member of the Eastern Bloc, allied with the Soviet Union, and from 1955 a member of the Warsaw Pact. As a result of this, the Czechoslovak Air Force used Soviet aircraft, doctrines, and tactics. The types of aircraft used were mostly MiGs. MiG-15, MiG-19, and MiG-21F fighters were produced in license; in the 1970s, MiG-23MFs were bought, accompanied by MiG-23MLs and MiG-29s in the 1980s.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Czechoslovak Air Force consisted of the 7th Air Army, which had air defence duties, and the 10th Air Army, responsible for ground forces support.[12] 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.

1993–present

[edit]
Retired subsonic jet aircraft - Sukhoi Su-25UBK of the Slovak Air Force

After the formal dissolution of Czechoslovakia on 31 December 1992, Czechoslovak aircraft were divided according to each nation's population, or in a ratio of nearly 2:1 in the Czech Republic's favor.[13][page needed] The exceptions to this rule were the MiG-23s, which were given exclusively to the Czech Air Force, and the MiG-29s, which were divided evenly between the two nations.[14] Slovak air bases were initially under-equipped to handle the aircraft transferred from the Czech air bases, and required considerable improvements in infrastructure to facilitate the new air force.

Following the division of aircraft, on 1 March 1995, the air force replaced the Soviet style aviation regiment organization with the western wing and squadron system.[15] Then around 2000–2002, Slovakia started to gradually retire many of the older aircraft, including their entire fleet of Su-22, Su-25, and MiG-21. This was followed by the disbanding of the national aerobatic demonstration team, the Biele Albatrosy, and the merge of the Military aviation academy with the Faculty of Aeronautics at the Technical University of Košice.[16][17] A tragic crash involving a Slovak Air Force An-24 in 2006 became the country's worst military aviation accident in history, with only one out of the 43 people on board surviving. As a part of its gradual retirement of Soviet aircraft, all of the remaining Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters were retired on 20 September 2011.[18][19][20][21]

Retired Mil Mi-24s of the Slovak Air Force

Modernization efforts began in October 2014, when the government approved the purchase of two tactical transport aircraft, the Alenia C-27J Spartan. Slovakia was one of the few countries in Eastern Europe that decided to keep its MiG-29's in service, but in January 2014, Slovakia started discussions with the Swedish Government regarding leasing or purchasing JAS-39 Gripen aircraft to replace their MiG-29 fighters.[22][23] However, these negotiations didn't lead anywhere and Slovakia decided to keep their MiG-29s in service until 2022. In April 2015, the Slovak government announced it would buy nine UH-60M utility helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Mi-17 helicopters. The deal worth $261 million also included full life-cycle support for the aircraft and training for aircrews and ground personnel.[24]

One of the most significant milestones in the modernization of the Air Force was achieved on 12 December 2018, when Slovakia signed a contract to acquire 14 F-16V/Block 70 with additional equipment. Originally, all were to be delivered by 2025, but due to delays and the COVID-19 pandemic deliveries began years later.[25] The first completed jet was unveiled by the manufacturer on 7 September 2023,[26] and first two aircraft were delivered to Slovakia on 22 July 2024.[27] The last aircraft was handed over to Slovak pilots in the United States in April 2026 and it along with the other three aircraft still in the U.S. are expected to arrive once their training is complete in 2027.[28]

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Slovakia donated its S-300PMU air defence system alongside one Mil Mi-2 and four Mil Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine as aid.[29] Then in April, Slovakia began negotiating with Baykar about the procurement of Bayraktar TB2. These negotiations been never formally ended.[30][31][32]

S-300PMU surface-to-air missile system of the Slovak Air Force that was given to Ukraine as military aid.

Modernization of the country's air defence began on October 13, 2022, when Slovakia joined European Sky Shield Initiative to strengthen future air defence procurement. In September of the following year, Slovakia 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 was part of the first out of three stages. Among the medium-range systems, Slovakia was choosing from the Barak 8, SPYDER, IRIS-T and MICA.[33][34][35] From short-range systems Slovakia was choosing between Piorun, RBS 70, Mistral 3 and KP-SAM Chiron.[36][37][38] On February 7, 2024, Slovakia was comparing NASAMS, IRIS-T, KM-SAM with the winners of the past tender Barak 8.[39] A few months later in August, the Slovak government approved plans to buy six Barak MX batteries from Israel.[40][41] There are speculations that two additional batteries could be ordered as well.

Talks and negotiations with the United States surrounding the purchase of four more F-16s began in February 2026.[42] Two of these would be F-16C and the other two would be F-16D.[43] In the transport department, the Slovak Air Force already has six Czech-made L-410 light aircraft, with four of them being the relatively new L-410UVP-E20 version, in addition to two twin-engine turboprop C-27J Spartan transport aircraft. These aircraft will be retired or offered either for sale or exchange. The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic proposes the procurement of two new twin-engine jets to replace the L-410, and the purchase of four Brazilian Embraer C-390 Millennium is also expected.[44] Slovakia decided to procure two more UH-60 Black Hawks for its special forces.[45][46][47] Those two Black Hawks were delivered on 25 August 2026 at Malacky Air Base, and they were later transferred to 51st wing in Prešov.[48] This added to the fleet of nine UH-60M helicopters that the Air Force was already operating.[49]

Slovak aid to Ukraine

[edit]

Following a request for military aid by Ukraine, the Slovak Air Force provided a number of aircraft and equipment as aid. In April 2022, this included the donation of a Soviet era S-300PMU air defence battery, in addition to one Mil Mi-2 and four Mil Mi-17 helicopters, through the European Peace Facility.[50][51][52] On 31 August 2022, all MiG-29s operated by the Slovak Air Force were retired.[53] An agreement with fellow NATO members Poland and the Czech Republic was signed in order to establish joint patrols of airspace, until the delivery of American F-16s to the Slovak Air Force in 2024.[54][55]

Slovak Air Defence aid to Ukraine

[edit]
A retired upgraded multirole fighter aircraft MiG-29AS donated to Ukrainian Air Force

On 17 March 2023, the Slovak government approved sending 13 Mikoyan MiG-29 jet fighters to Ukraine and one MiG-29UBS to Military History Museum Piešťany.[56][57] Nine MiG-29AS, one MiG-29UBS, two MiG-29A and one MiG-29UB were sent to Ukraine. Three of them 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 2023, with the remaining nine sent at a later date.[58] Additionally, two 2K12 Kub launchers, radar, spare parts, 52 3M9ME missiles and 148 3M9M3E missiles were donated.[59]

After Slovakia gifted its S-300 missile system, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States deployed their MIM-104 Patriot systems to cover country's air defence needs.[60][61]

Foreign aid for the Slovak air force

[edit]
The Commander of the Slovak Air Force Major general Róbert Tóth (left) visits the United States in June 2024

As compensation for the aid provided, Slovakia received €200 million for the MiG-29 package and €50 million for the KUB package, both from the European Peace Facility fund. The US offered aid in the form of an approximately 66% discount on a package including 12 unused AH-1Z attack helicopters, training, related equipment and 500 Hellfire II missiles. The total value of the package was estimated at US$1 billion, with $660 million to be paid by the FMF. Had the Slovak government accepted the offer, the remaining value of the package, in the amount of $340 million, was to be paid by the Slovak government in three to four years. The total value of the compensation from both the EU and US is approximately $900 million per statement from Ministry of Defence of Slovak Republic. The AH-1Z offer was also provided as a compensation in the context of the delays to Slovak F-16C/D delivery. The Slovak government was expected to make a decision on the AH-1Z offer early into 2024. The signing of the deal was threatened due to the change in government after the elections.[62][63][64]

Investigation into Russian sabotage of Slovak MiG-29

[edit]

Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, General Daniel Zmeko was critical of the Slovak MiG-29s in their last years. There were problems with spare parts and maintenance, which was outsourced to Russia. This resulted in four air frames being airworthy on average, while still being plagued by a high failure rate, with a failure occurring roughly every 43 minutes on average. A lack of munitions, no modernization since 1996, and a lack of pilots for the old fighter jets ultimately led to their retiring.[59][65]

Russian technicians were suspected of sabotage, as per statement from the Minister of Defence Jaroslav 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 the police could not 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 per flight hour, higher than the cost of the state of the art 5th generation F-35 Lightning II jet fighter.[67]

Organization

[edit]
Slovak Air Force organization as of April 2026
Slovak Air Force locations 2024:
Air bases: Fighters Helicopters Transport planes
Other units: Air Defense Air Operations Center Radar stations
  • Air Force Command, in Zvolen[68]
    • 2nd Air Force Brigade, in Zvolen
      • Air Operations Center, in Zvolen (part of NATO's NATO Integrated Air Defence System)
      • Radar Surveillance Battalion, in Zvolen (6× EL/M-2084M-MMR, 5× ELM-2084S-MMR/GBAD, 6× ELM-2138M MC radars on order)[69]
        • Command and Support Company, in Zvolen
        • 1st Radar Surveillance Company, in Michalovce
        • 2nd Radar Surveillance Company, in Veľká Ida
        • 3rd Radar Surveillance Company, in Ožďany
        • 4th Radar Surveillance Company, in Močiar
        • 5th Radar Surveillance Company, in Hlohovec
        • 6th Radar Surveillance Company, in Mierovo
        • 7th Radar Engineering Company, in Prešov
        • 8th Radar Engineering Company, in Voderady
      • Air Force Command Support Company
      • Medical Point
    • 11th Air Force Brigade, in Nitra
      • 1st Anti-aircraft Missile Group
        • 2× batteries, with MANTIS systems
      • 2nd Anti-aircraft Missile Group
      • "Igla" Anti-aircraft Battery, with 54× 9K38 Igla MANPADS
      • Logistic Battalion
      • Maintenance Unit, in Viničné
      • Operating Unit, on Kolíňanský vrch[citation needed]
      • Medical Point
    • 46th Wing, at Malacky Air Base
    • 51st Wing, at Prešov Air Base
      • 1st Helicopter Squadron, with 11× UH-60M[48]
      • 2nd Helicopter Squadron, with 2× Mi-17M, 2× Mi-17LPZS[70] (will likely be replaced by 12× UH-60L that were ordered)
      • Flight Operations Security Battalion
      • Air Traffic Control Squadron
      • Maintenance Squadron
      • Medical Point
    • 81st Wing, at Sliač Air Base
      • 1st Tactical Squadron, with 12× F-16C Block 70, 2× F-16D Block 70
      • 2nd Tactical Squadron, with 1× L-39CM, 1× L-39ZAM
      • Support Battalion
      • Flight Operations Security Battalion
      • Air Traffic Control Squadron
      • Maintenance Squadron
      • Medical Point

81st Wing "Sliač Air Base"

[edit]

The 81st Wing Air Base should function as standard base for all fighter aircraft as well as trainer aircraft of Slovak Air Force. However, currently due to the reconstruction of the base, all aircraft were relocated to 46th Wing. Once the reconstruction of the base is completed, it will once again host fighter and trainer jets such as the F-16 Block 70 and the L-39.

46th Wing "Dopravné krídlo Milana Rastislava Štefánika"

[edit]

At the moment, the 46th Wing is the only active air base of Slovak Air Force that is able to host fighter jets as well as subsonic aircraft. However, it is meant to be the home for all transport aircraft such as the Alenia C-27J Spartan and the Let L-410 Turbolet.[71]

51st Wing "Prešov Air Base"

[edit]

The 51st Wing is the home base for all helicopters of the Slovak Air Force, which also includes a helicopter repair company. The air base operates 15 helicopters, four Mil Mi-17 and 11 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks.[72][48]

2nd Air Force Brigade

[edit]

The 2nd Air Force Brigade is the Air Force Command Brigade of the Slovak Air Force and it is based in Zvolen. The brigade is a part of the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS).[73]

Tasks
  • Completion of Air Policing tasks within NATINAMDS;
  • Implementation of active command and control of the Air Force of the Slovak Armed Forces;
  • Collection, processing, and distribution of information for the needs of the Air Force Command and higher levels of NATO.

11th Air Force Brigade

[edit]

The 11th Air Force Brigade is in charge of protecting military objects, critical infrastructure and civilian objects. It is the "air defence brigade" that fields a variety of air defence systems from the Barak MX, to the 2K12 Kub and even the MANTIS.

Aircraft

[edit]

Current inventory

[edit]
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
F-16C/D Block 70 United States Multirole F-16C
F-16D		 9[74]
1
  • All aircraft have been delivered to the Slovak Air Force.
  • The last 4 aircraft are based in the USA for training. Four more could be ordered later.
Transport
Alenia C-27J Italy Transport C-27J 2[75]
L-410 Turbolet Czech Republic Transport
Reconnaissance		 L-410UVP-E
L-410FG		 5[75]
1
Bombardier Global 5000 Canada Business jet / Medevac G5000 2 Being used for medevac.[76][77]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-17 Soviet Union Utility
Search and rescue		 Mi-17M
Mi-17 LPZS		 2
2		 -
UH-60 Black Hawk United States Utility UH-60M
UH-60L		 11
0/12
  • 2 UH-60M helicopters were delivered in August 2026.[48]
  • 12 UH-60L on order.[78]
Trainer aircraft
Aero L-39 Czech Republic Jet trainer/Light attack L-39CM
L-39ZAM		 1
1
  • The L-39CM is a modernized trainer variant while the L-39ZAM is a modernized light attack variant.
  • As of 2024, there are only two airworthy L-39s, one L-39CM and one L-39ZAM.[79]
UAVs
Elbit Skylark Israel UAV I-LEX 1 system (3 drones)
  • In 2017, Slovakia ordered one Skylark I-LEX system, which consisted of 3 air vehicles (UAVs), 2 daytime cameras, and 1 night camera to replace 3 older Skylark I-LE.[80]

Note: Five Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks are available through the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) program based in Italy.[82]

Aircraft armament

[edit]
Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
Air-to-air missiles
AIM-120-C7 AMRAAM United States Beyond-visual-range missile 28 Total of 28 missiles were bought.[83][84][85]
AIM-9X Sidewinder United States Short-range air-to-air missile 98 98 missiles were bought in a later contract.[85]
R-60 Soviet Union Short-range air-to-air missile ? Unknown number in storage.
Rockets
S-5 rocket Soviet Union Unguided rocket ? Used by Mi-17M.[86]
Cannons
M61 Vulcan United States Rotary cannon 15 Total of 15 bought for the F-16s.[83][84][85]
GSh-23L Soviet Union Autocannon ? Mounted on L-39ZAM.[87]
Machine guns
M240H United States Machine guns ? Mounted on UH-60 Black Hawks.[88]
Unguided bombs
Mark 82 United States Unguided bomb 324 Total of 324 bombs bought for F-16.[83][84][85]
Precision-guided munition
GBU-12 Paveway II United States Laser-guided bomb 212 Total of 212 bombs bought for F-16.[83][89][84]
GBU-38 United States GPS guided bomb 150 Total of 150 kits bought for F-16.[83]
GBU-49 United States GPS and

laser-guided

 20 Total of 20 bombs bought for F-16.[89]
GBU-54 LJDAM  United States GPS and

laser-guided

 50 Total of 50 kits bought for F-16.[84]
Other equipment
AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Targeting Pod  United States Targeting pod 6 Total of 6 Sniper pods were bought.[84]
LAU-129 United States Missile rail launcher 60 Total of 60 launchers were bought.[83][84]

Former aircraft

[edit]
Aircraft Country of Origin Type Variant Quantity Period of Service Notes
Fighter aircraft
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Soviet Union Fighter aircraft
Reconnaissance aircraft
Jet trainer/fighter aircraft		 MiG-21MA
MiG-21MF
MiG-21R
MiG-21UM
MiG-21US		 13
36
8
11
2		 1993 – 2003
Mikoyan MiG-29 Soviet Union Fighter aircraft
Jet trainer/fighter aircraft		 MiG-29A
MiG-29UB		 21
3		 1993 – 2022
Attack aircraft
Sukhoi Su-22 Soviet Union Fighter-bomber
Jet trainer/attack aircraft		 Su-22M4
Su-22UM-3K		 18
3		 1993 – 2002
Sukhoi Su-25 Soviet Union Close air support
Jet trainer/attack aircraft		 Su-25K
Su-25UBK		 12
1		 1993 – 2002
Transport aircraft
Antonov An-12 Soviet Union Tactical transport aircraft An-12BP 1 1993 – 1999
Antonov An-24 Soviet Union Tactical transport aircraft An-24V 2 1993 – 2006
Antonov An-26 Soviet Union Tactical transport aircraft An-26B-100 2 1993 – 2016
Yakovlev Yak-40 Soviet Union Transport aircraft (for passengers) Yak-40 1 1993 – 1999
Tupolev Tu-154 Soviet Union Transport aircraft (VIP) Tu-154B-2 1 1993 – 1995
Trainer aircraft
Aero L-29 Delfín Czechoslovakia Jet trainer L-29 16 1993 – 2003
Aero L-39 Albatros Czechoslovakia Jet trainer
Jet trainer and light attack aircraft
Target tower		 L-39C
L-39ZA
L-39V		 7
8
2		 1993 – ?
  • A total of 19 L-39s (eight L-39C, and nine L-39ZA, and two L-39V) were inherited from the Czechoslovak Air Force.[14]
  • Six L-39Cs were modernized to L-39CMs and six L-39ZAs were modernized to L-39ZAMs.
Aero L-59 Super Albatros Czechoslovakia Jet trainer and light attack aircraft L-39MS 2 1993 – ?
Helicopters
Mil Mi-2 Soviet Union
Poland		 Light helicopter Mi-2 17 1993 – 2013
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union Electronic warfare
VIP Transport
Transport helicopter		 Mi-8PPA
Mi-8PS
Mi-8T		 1
2
6		 1993 – 2011
Mil Mi-24 Soviet Union Attack helicopter
Attack helicopter
Training helicopter		 Mi-24D
Mi-24V
Mi-24DU		 8
10
1		 1993 – 2011

Previous aircraft operated include the MiG-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 the Mil Mi-24 helicopters.[90][91]

Air defense

[edit]

Surface-to-air missile systems

[edit]
Name Image Origin In service Notes
Barak MX  Israel 1 battery
  • Five more batteries on order
  • 18 launchers total that can fire interceptors with 45 km, 75 km, and a 150 km range.
  • The delivery is late because of the 2026 Iran war.[40][92] Two more batteries could be ordered later.
2K12 Kub M2 Soviet Union 3 batteries
  • Two launchers with additional equipment were donated to Ukraine in 2022.[59]
  • Three and a half batteries are in an operational state as of 2026.[93]
9K38 Igla Soviet Union 54
  • It was supposed to be replaced by the Piorun, but no MANPADS were ordered yet.

C-RAM

[edit]
Name Image Origin In service Notes
MANTIS  Germany 2 systems Two systems donated by Germany were delivered to the 11th Air Force Brigade.[94] They are guarding the eastern border of Slovakia with Ukraine.[95]

Radars

[edit]
Name Origin Type Range Quantity Notes
ELM-2084 M-MMR  Israel Multi-mission AESA radar 350 km 1/6
  • Six were ordered in 2021, but deliveries were significantly delayed.[96] Originally they were meant to be delivered between 2023 and 2025, but the first one arrived in July 2026.[97]
  • Mounted on a Tatra 815-7 truck.[97]
ELM-2084 MS MMR  Israel Multi-sensor, multi-mission AESA radar 150 km 0/5
  • Five were ordered in 2021, but deliveries have been significantly delayed.[96]
ELM-2138M Green Rock  Israel C-RAM AESA radar 50 km 0/6
  • Six were ordered in 2021, but deliveries have been significantly delayed.[96]
LÜR [de]  Germany Airspace surveillance radar 100 km 5
1S91 Soviet Union Short/medium range radar 50 km 12[outdated statistic]
VERA-NG  Czech Republic Passive surveillance system - 1
  • Bought in 2023 for 21.95 million euros.
  • It is being used for airspace surveillance.
P-37 radar [ru] Soviet Union Early-warning radar ~320 km 9[outdated statistic]
  • Slovakia operates a handful of a modernized version of the P-37 called the P-37MSK. It incorporates a NATO-compatible IFF system, and was aimed to bring the P-37 radars up to the 1L117 standard.
RPL-2000  Czech Republic Airport surveillance radar - 1

Ranks

[edit]

Commissioned officer ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

NATO codeOF-10OF-9OF-8OF-7OF-6OF-5OF-4OF-3OF-2OF-1
Slovakia Slovak Air Force[100]
Generál Generálporučík[a] Generálmajor Brigádny generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík

Other ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

NATO codeOR-9OR-8OR-7OR-6OR-5OR-4OR-3OR-2OR-1
Slovakia Slovak Air Force[100]
Štábny nadrotmajster Nadrotmajster Rotmajster Rotný Čatár Desiatnik Slobodník Vojak 2. stupňa Vojak 1. stupňa

Aircraft markings

[edit]

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 the Slovak flag, red, white, and blue. It appears on the side of helicopters and on both sides of the wings and tail of aircraft. New F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft wear a NATO standard compliant grey-on-grey (low-visibility) version of the Slovak Air Force insignia.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ The appropriate branch of service badge is pinned just under the top button of the for all ranks excluding full General.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Sopóci, Milan; Matta, Lubomír. The Ambitions of the Slovak Armed Forces. Theory and Reality (PDF).
  2. ↑ Kustrová, Milota. Trends in Slovak Republic's Military Spending (PDF).
  3. ↑ Východiská strategického hodnotenia obrany Slovenskej republiky (PDF). Archived from the original on 30 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "I. Plnenie cieľov obrannej politiky SR". Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Na obranu pôjde v roku 2014 jedno percento HDP" 10 October 2013
  6. ↑ "The Military Balance 2014"., February 05, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Veliteľ vzdušných síl OS SR". Ozbrojené sily SR (in Slovak). Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Mihalková, Henrieta (6 April 2025). "Slovensko je bez veliteľa vzdušných síl, posledný skončil po štyroch mesiacoch". Pravda (in Slovak). Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  9. ↑ Slovensko a Prvá svetová vojna [Slovakia and First World war] (in Slovak). Košice: Klub vojenskej histórie Beskydy, Štátna vedecká knižnica v Košiciach. 2018. pp. 97–104. ISBN 978-80-570-0576-6.
  10. ↑ "Håkans Aviation page – The Slovak National Uprising". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  11. ↑ List of World War II aces from Slovakia
  12. ↑ ed David Oliver, Eastern European Air Power, No 3 in the AFM Airpower Series, Key Publishing Ltd, Stamford, Lincs, 1990–91, p.38-41
  13. ↑ Donald, David, ed. (2001). The Pocket Guide to Military Aircraft and the World's Air Forces. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 978-0831770204.
  14. 1 2 "Prehľad rozdelenia vojenských lietadiel po rozpade ČSFR". Valka.cz (in Czech). 9 January 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  15. ↑ "Slovak Air Arms". Archived from the original on 28 October 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  16. ↑ Sabo, Kristián (28 July 2011). "Biele albatrosy vznikli pred dvadsiatimi rokmi". Korzár (in Slovak). Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  17. ↑ "Akrobatická skupina Biele Albatrosy zanikla, tradícia leteckého výcviku v Košiciach však pokračuje!". Medzinárodné letecké dni SIAF (in Slovak). 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "Vrtuľníky Mi-24 vzlietli v Prešove naposledy – Spravodajstvo". aktuality.sk. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  19. ↑ Azet.sk (3 June 2012). "Vojakov je menej. Za desať rokov klesol ich počet o 8000". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "Nie je obrana už dávno v kríze?!" Archived 2013-11-05 at the Wayback Machine 24 April 2011
  21. ↑ "Obrana po slovensky alebo Armáda, kam ťa to dovedú..." Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  22. ↑ "Slovakia Plans To Acquire Fighter Jets". Defense News. Retrieved 24 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑ Stockholm TT (16 January 2014). "Slovakien intresserat av Gripen". SvD.se. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "Slovak 'Hip' replacement settles on nine Black Hawks". janes.com. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Slovakia to purchase 14 Lockheed Martin F-16s". flightglobal.com. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  26. ↑ Hoyle, Craig (8 September 2023). "Lockheed Martin unveils first F-16 fighter for Slovakia". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  27. ↑ "Slovakia gets first new F-16s to boost air defence". Reuters. 22 July 2024.
  28. ↑ Tomáš, Viktor (16 April 2026). "Slovensko prevzalo prvú batériu Barak MX aj poslednú zo stíhačiek F-16". Future Army (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  29. ↑ Tomečková, Nicol (17 March 2023). "Slovensko daruje stíhačky MiG-29 Ukrajine". Správy RTVS (in Slovak). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  30. ↑ REFRESHER. "Minister obrany Jaroslav Naď rokoval s výrobcom tureckých dronov. Zverejnil fotku modelu Bayraktaru so slovenskými symbolmi". refresher.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  31. ↑ "Drony sú budúcnosť vojenstva. Slovensko chce aj bojové, ktoré budú likvidovať protivníka". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 16 August 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  32. ↑ "AKTUÁLNE: Naď chce drony čím skôr. Ukrajina nimi odrážala masívne útoky Rusov". FonTech.sk (in Slovak). 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  33. ↑ "Ministerstvo obrany SR odporúča obstarať systémy protivzdušnej obrany od Izraelu a Poľska". www.trend.sk (in Slovak). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  34. ↑ "Ministerstvo obrany odporúča obstarať systémy protivzdušnej obrany od Izraela a Poľska | TVNOVINY.sk". tvnoviny.sk (in Slovak). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  35. ↑ Aktuality.sk (6 September 2023). "Ministerstvo obrany by chcelo systémy protivzdušnej obrany od Izraelu a Poľska". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  36. ↑ "Piorun a Barak – aké rakety protivzdušnej obrany chce Slovensko nakúpiť?". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 6 October 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  37. ↑ a.s, Petit Press. "Ficove nehodné výroky, protivzdušná obrana a Kaliňákove plány s USA. Čo sa deje na ministerstve obrany?". domov.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  38. ↑ Evolution, Heureka (1 February 2024). "Či zakúpi Slovensko protilietadlový raketový komplex Patriot?". Armádny magazín (in Slovak). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  39. ↑ Postoj. "Slovenská obranyschopnosť / Kaliňák zvažuje nákup ďalších štyroch amerických stíhačiek F-16". www.postoj.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  40. 1 2 "Slovakia set to buy six air defence systems from Israel". Reuters. 28 August 2024.
  41. ↑ "Slovakia to buy Israeli Barak MX air defense systems for $610M". Defense News. 29 August 2024.
  42. ↑ "Kaliňák v Ide o pravdu: Chceme vymeniť všetky vojenské dopravné lietadlá, potrebujeme aj ďalšie stíhačky F-16". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 22 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  43. ↑ Nicanci, Teoman (19 February 2026). "Slovakia Seeks Four Additional F-16 Block 70/72 Fighter Jets to Strengthen NATO Eastern Flank". Army Recognition. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Kaliňák bude v Brazílii rokovať o stámiliónovom nákupe. Pre zľavu na lietadlá ponúkne slovenské húfnice". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  45. ↑ Euractiv. "Slovakia continues to buy army equipment from outside the EU | Euractiv". Euractiv. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  46. ↑ "Návrh medzivládnej dohody". Úrad vlády Slovenskej republiky. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  47. ↑ "Zverejnenie štúdie uskutočniteľnosti k obstaraniu 2ks vrtuľníkov UH-60M s výbavou pre sily pre špeciálne operácie s využitím fondov schválených vládou USA" (PDF). Ministerstvo obrany SR. 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  48. 1 2 3 4 "Nové Black Hawky sú už v Prešove. Slovenská armáda prevzala ďalšie vrtuľníky". Korzár (in Slovak). 31 August 2026. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
  49. ↑ "Selected Acquisition Report (SAR)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  50. ↑ "Slovakia sends its air defence system to Ukraine". Reuters. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  51. ↑ "Slovaks give Mi helicopters, Grad rockets to Ukraine". Reuters. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  52. ↑ "Slovakia donates attack helicopters to Ukraine". spectator.sme.sk. 16 June 2022.
  53. ↑ Ruivo, Jorge (31 August 2022). "Slovakia Retires MiG-29 Freeing Fulcrum Jets For Ukraine". theaviationist.com. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  54. ↑ "Poles, Czechs Vow to Protect Slovak Airspace as MiGs Retired". VOA. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  55. ↑ "Slovakia to get new F-16 fighter jets a year later". Reuters. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  56. ↑ "One of the retired MiGs will stay at home". Sme. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  57. ↑ "Slovakia sends MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine - PM". Los Angeles Times. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  58. ↑ "Ukrainians presented armed Slovak MiGs". Pravda. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  59. 1 2 3 "Slovakia will donate jet fighter to Ukraine". RTVS. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  60. ↑ "Nemecko ponúklo Slovensku po stiahnutí Patriotov podporu letectva". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 31 May 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  61. ↑ "Naď o odchode batérie systému Patriotov zo Slovenska. Naša protivzdušná obrana je zabezpečená". Štandard (in Slovak). Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  62. ↑ "The offer of Vipers is worth it for the armed forces, says the chief of the general staff gen. Daniel Zmeko". Denník N. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  63. ↑ "Nad is returning to defense sector. He will be an adviser the Czech minister Cernochova". Pravda.sk. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  64. ↑ "Slovakia received offer for 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters". Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  65. ↑ "National Cabinet unanimously and in conformity with the Constitution votes to send the MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine". Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  66. ↑ "MiGs reported failures in parts accessed only by Russian maintenance personnel". Denník N. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  67. ↑ Šnídl, Vladimír (29 September 2023). "Slovakia paid Russia for MiG-29 flight hour more than is the cost of F-35". Denník N. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  68. ↑ "Orbats". www.scramble.nl.
  69. ↑ Smisek, Martin (26 June 2023). "Modernising Slovakia's Ground-Based Air Defence". European Security & Defence. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  70. ↑ "The first two Black Hawks land in Slovakia". 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  71. ↑ "Letecká základňa Malacky - Malacky - GoOut". goout.net (in Slovak). Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  72. ↑ Vrtulniky.sk (16 September 2023). "Vojenský opravárenský podnik 028 Prešov, š.p." Vrtuľníky a helikoptéry (in Slovak). Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  73. ↑ "Krídlo velenia, riadenia a prieskumu Zvolen". 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  74. ↑ "Ďalšie tri nové F-16 sú už doma. Slovensko má už desať moderných stíhačiek". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 30 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  75. 1 2 Hoyle, Craig (2024). "World Air Forces 2025". Flight Global. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  76. ↑ "Rezort obrany uzavrel zmluvu na 12 vrtuľníkov Black Hawk | TVNOVINY.sk". tvnoviny.sk (in Slovak). 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  77. ↑ "Kaliňák ide úplne nové lietadlá za 46 miliónov modifikovať. Mikulec: Osobná hračka ministra". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 19 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  78. ↑ "Slovakia buys Black Hawk helicopters, leaving Vipers up for grabs". Defense News. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  79. ↑ Tomáš, Viktor (2 January 2024). "Aké nové cvičné podzvukové lietadlá môže Slovensko získať? Časť 1". Future Army (in Slovak). Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  80. 1 2 Gyürösi, Miroslav (17 February 2017). "Slovak Special Forces field Skylark I-LEX". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017.
  81. ↑ Milan, Lukáš (11 July 2009). "Armáda kúpila bezpilotné lietadlá. Snažila sa to tajiť". Pravda. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  82. ↑ "Alliance Ground Surveillance". NATO. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  83. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aktuality.sk (22 May 2020). "Bol to najväčší nákup v dejinách armády. Obrana zverejnila utajované zmluvy na F-16". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  84. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Letter of Offer and Acceptance - Contract for F-16 (Report). 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  85. 1 2 3 4 Smisek, Martin (30 May 2025). "Briefing: Key Czech and Slovakian procurement programmes". European Security & Defence. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
  86. ↑ Ozbrojené sily Slovenskej republiky (26 April 2023). Ostré streľby Mi-17 | Azimut 24/7 - 56. | Ozbrojené sily SR. Retrieved 7 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  87. ↑ Rut, Jan. "Aero L-39 Albatros". Vojsko.net (in Czech). Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  88. ↑ a.s, Petit Press. "Armádne vrtuľníky už budú môcť strieľať, no v boji by ešte neobstáli". domov.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  89. 1 2 Team, ESD Editorial (13 December 2019). "Slovak Air Force Modernisation - European Security & Defence". euro-sd.com. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  90. ↑ "World Air Forces 1994 pg. 55". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  91. ↑ "Slovakia Retires MiG-29 Freeing Fulcrum Jets For Ukraine". The Aviationist. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  92. ↑ "Israel in deal to sell air defence system to Slovakia for $582 million". Reuters. 23 December 2024.
  93. ↑ Robert Kaliňák (1 June 2026). Tlačová beseda: Aktuálne témy (Press conference). Slovakia: Televízia ta3.
  94. ↑ "Nemecko daruje Slovensku dva systémy Mantis, zmluva už je podpísaná". Sme (in Slovak). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  95. ↑ "Slovenská armáda si od Nemecka prevzala systémy protivzdušnej obrany Mantis". domov.sme.sk (in Slovak). 24 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  96. 1 2 3 Hutko, Dominik (20 February 2023). "Vojenské radary za 150 miliónov meškajú". Pravda (in Slovak). Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  97. 1 2 Tomáš, Viktor (11 August 2026). "Slovenská 2. brigáda vzdušných síl zaradila do výzbroje izraelské radary". Future Army (in Slovak). Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  98. ↑ Sharma, Soumya (20 March 2023). "Germany to provide MANTIS and surveillance radars to Slovakia". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  99. 1 2 Šiška, Martin (26 January 2022). "Slovakia's first military airport already has a set of new radars". CZ Defence. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
  100. 1 2 "Označenie vojenských hodností príslušníkov Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky od 1.1.2016" [Designation of military ranks of members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic from 1.1.2016]. vhu.sk (in Slovak). Military History Institute. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Slovak_Air_Force&oldid=1379006693"