The State Department has approved a possible $2.9 billion deal with Slovakia for 14 F-16 Block 70/72 V aircraft, missiles and mission systems.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) on April 3.
Along with the aircraft, the FMS includes 16 F-16 F110 General Electric [GE] or F100 Pratt & Whitney [UTX] engines, 16 APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars, 14 Modular Mission Computers and embedded GPS and secure communication systems.
“Slovakia intends for these aircraft to replace its current fleet of MiG-29s. Slovakia’s current fighters are not interoperable with U.S forces or regional allies. Purchase of the F-16V will provide Slovakia with fourth generation fighter aircraft capability that is interoperable with the United States and NATO,” the DSCA said in a statement.
Under the deal, Slovakia would also receive 30 AIM-120C7 air-to-air missiles,100 AIM-9X air-to air missiles, 12 AIM-9X Captive Air Training Missiles and additional guidance units.
Slovakia has also requested 14 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II, 14 AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare management systems, 16 AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive EW Suites and 16 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensers.
“The proposed sale will support Slovakia’s needs for its own self-defense and support NATO defense goals. Slovakia intends to use these F-16s to modernize its Air Force and strengthen its homeland defense,” the DSCA said in a statement.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the prime contractor for the deal.