Europe’s Newest F-16 Fighter Jets Handed Over to Slovakia

Europe’s two newest F-16 fighter jets were ceremonially turned over to Slovakia on Thursday morning. There is, of course, more to it than tossing the keys to a Chevy Equinox to the new owner, so the two planes — a one-seater and a two-seater — will remain in Greenville for now while members of the Slovakian military are trained to operate and fly the fighters. The aircraft are expected to be on the NATO soil of Slovakia later this year.

Slovakia is the second nation to receive a Greenville-made Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon. Production of new F-16 was moved to Greenville after the U.S. government, which plans to buy no new F-16s, decided to allow certain countries — those deemed to be important security partners — to purchase new models.

The first F-16 made in Greenville was turned over to Bahrain last March. Lockheed Martin has a backlog of 133 orders from six countries, according to the company.

Before it became world production headquarters for the F-16, the Greenville Lockheed Martin site was — and still is — a sustainment center for maintenance and upgrades to aircraft.

Today it employs about 1,000 workers and has a $100 million economic impact on the area, the company says.

Orlando “O.J.” Sanchez Jr., vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said providing new aircraft for allies is part of the long-standing mission of the Greenville site, which has delivered more than 3,000 aircraft “in support of global security.”

“During today’s times when global security and stability is challenging and a great power competition is present, having ready combat aircraft and production lines, and hot supply chains to support is critical to respond to pressing and emerging missions,” Sanchez said during the ceremony. “The F-16 here in Greenville is truly a security asset, providing F-16 capabilities to allies around the world who rely on this platform for peacekeeping and defense missions within their own borders and those of their partners.”

More than 3,000 F-16s are operating in 25 countries, 26 when the new jets reach Slovakia.

“These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world,” Sanchez said. “We’re so proud of the role our team and the F-16 production line plays in a worldwide network of peacekeeping and deterrence.”

Greg Ulmer, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said the company is proud to serve as a bridge between the United States and Slovakia “as we work together to strengthen deterrence around the globe.”

“With its F-16 fleet Slovakia is not just producing an aircraft, it’s building a decades-long strategic relationship with the United States and our allies,” Ulmer said. “The milestone also marks the significant step in European defense as Slovakia is the first European country to receive the newest and most advanced Fighting Falcon.”

Slovakia has been steadily increasing its military spending in recent years and has committed to spending 1.6% of its budget on defense as part of its membership in NATO. The two F-16s are part of a larger modernization effort to update Slovakia’s aging fleet of Russian-made MiG-29 jets.