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The U.S. 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 (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential Foreign Military Sale April 3.
Along with the aircraft, the sale includes 16 F-16 F110 General Electric or F100 Pratt & Whitney 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 is the prime contractor for the deal.