Minister Naď makes first official visit to USA to see progress made in production of F-16 fighter jets for Slovakia and to meet SVK F-16 pilots
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- Date: 28.10.2021
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The Slovak MOD and Armed Forces delegation to the USA, led by Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, paid a visit to Lockheed Martin's F-16 production line in Greenville, South Carolina where the newest and most advanced F-16 Block 70 aircraft are being built for Slovakia. The aim of the Defence Minister's visit was to see first hand the progress made in the production of the aircraft for the SVK Air Force and to hold talks on forging a strategic partnership between the SVK and U.S. militaries.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Given that this is Slovakia's most extensive investment project as part of SVK Armed Forces modernisation, I felt I needed to visit Lockheed Martin in person to emphasise the importance we attach to this contract.” After receiving a tour of the production line and holding talks with representatives of Lockheed Martin, Minister Naď noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic's temporary impact on the company's operations, staff and supplies, Lockheed Martin is doing everything it can to deliver its commitments on time.
On the acquisition of the F-16 fighter jets, Minister Naď emphasised that the fighter jet replacement programme means not only buying aircraft that will be operated by the Slovak Air Force for decades to come, but this is also a great opportunity to deepen the SVK-U.S. strategic partnership. He also wants to raise this issue during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in the Pentagon. In building the SVK-U.S. partnership, MOD leaders place particular emphasis on the SVK defence industry's role and have been in negotiation on getting it involved in the manufacturing process. For this reason, representatives of Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín (LOTN), too, are part of the SVK delegation and talks.
As part of our cooperation with Lockheed Martin, Defence Minister Naď thanked representatives of the company for their sponsorship gift of US$30,000 for the Central Military Hospital Ružomberok. Following the hospital's decision to buy new medical devices, the funding will go towards purchasing a new mobile diagnostic ultrasound system and an ultralight ventilator for patients. “When we talk about our partnership, I am pleased to confirm that its first real outcomes will soon be felt by the public in Slovakia,” said Mr Naď.
The head of the MOD announced another sponsorship gift from our U.S. partner for the Institute of Military History, and he would also welcome some intense support for the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) Museum.
The MOD and Armed Forces delegation along with Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security Juraj Krúpa and Deputy Chief of Defence Lt Gen Ľubomír Svoboda went to see the SVK Air Force F-16 pilots undergoing training in Arizona. “I was keen to learn more about the training and I wanted to find out what more we could do for them. On the F-16 pilot training programme, our pilots already now have a record of fantastic achievements, they perform to the highest standards, and we wish to remain as helpful to them as we can,” added Mr Naď.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Given that this is Slovakia's most extensive investment project as part of SVK Armed Forces modernisation, I felt I needed to visit Lockheed Martin in person to emphasise the importance we attach to this contract.” After receiving a tour of the production line and holding talks with representatives of Lockheed Martin, Minister Naď noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic's temporary impact on the company's operations, staff and supplies, Lockheed Martin is doing everything it can to deliver its commitments on time.
On the acquisition of the F-16 fighter jets, Minister Naď emphasised that the fighter jet replacement programme means not only buying aircraft that will be operated by the Slovak Air Force for decades to come, but this is also a great opportunity to deepen the SVK-U.S. strategic partnership. He also wants to raise this issue during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in the Pentagon. In building the SVK-U.S. partnership, MOD leaders place particular emphasis on the SVK defence industry's role and have been in negotiation on getting it involved in the manufacturing process. For this reason, representatives of Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín (LOTN), too, are part of the SVK delegation and talks.
As part of our cooperation with Lockheed Martin, Defence Minister Naď thanked representatives of the company for their sponsorship gift of US$30,000 for the Central Military Hospital Ružomberok. Following the hospital's decision to buy new medical devices, the funding will go towards purchasing a new mobile diagnostic ultrasound system and an ultralight ventilator for patients. “When we talk about our partnership, I am pleased to confirm that its first real outcomes will soon be felt by the public in Slovakia,” said Mr Naď.
The head of the MOD announced another sponsorship gift from our U.S. partner for the Institute of Military History, and he would also welcome some intense support for the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) Museum.
The MOD and Armed Forces delegation along with Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security Juraj Krúpa and Deputy Chief of Defence Lt Gen Ľubomír Svoboda went to see the SVK Air Force F-16 pilots undergoing training in Arizona. “I was keen to learn more about the training and I wanted to find out what more we could do for them. On the F-16 pilot training programme, our pilots already now have a record of fantastic achievements, they perform to the highest standards, and we wish to remain as helpful to them as we can,” added Mr Naď.
