Slovak Air Force

Slovak Air Force
Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky
Emblem of the Slovak Air Force
Founded1 January 1993; 31 years ago (1993-01-01)
Country Slovak Republic
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size
  • Approx 3,200 personnel
  • 15 aircraft
  • 18 helicopters
Part ofSlovak Armed Forces
Garrison/HQZvolen
Commanders
Air Force CommanderMajor General Róbert Tóth[1]
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
FighterF-16V Block 70
HelicopterMil Mi-17, UH-60M
ReconnaissanceL-410UVP-E
TrainerAero L-39
TransportC-27J, Let L-410

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 defense branch of the Slovak Armed Forces. Operating 15 aircraft and 18 helicopters from three air bases : Malacky–Kuchyňa, 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 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 the Mikoyan MiG-29 in 2022, 7 L-39 Albatros provide the fast-jet capability role to the air force, awaiting the delivery of American F-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 the UH-60 Black Hawk.

The Slovak Air Force has been under the command of Major General Róbert Tóth since January 1, 2021.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

  1. ^ "Bio" (PDF). www.parlamentnykurier.sk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  2. ^ "The ambitions of the Slovak armed forces. Theory and reality."
  3. ^ ""Trends in Slovak Republic military spending"" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Východiská strategického hodnotenia obrany Slovenskej republiky 2011"
  5. ^ "I. Plnenie cieľov obrannej politiky SR". Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  6. ^ "Na obranu pôjde v roku 2014 jedno percento HDP" 10 October 2013
  7. ^ "The Military Balance 2014"., February 05, 2014.
  8. ^ ""Biela kniha o obrane SR 2013"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  9. ^ "Ozbrojené sily nemajú praktické kroky, tvrdí Martin Fedor". Webnoviny.sk. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  10. ^ "CÉROVSKÝ: Ozbrojené sily sú vo veľmi zlej situácii". Webnoviny.sk. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Ročenka MO SR 2012"
  12. ^ "Ročenka MO SR 2013"
  13. ^ "Commander of the Slovak Air Force". Retrieved 24 December 2014.