1914–1918 Many Slovak pilots served in
Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops or in
Entente air forces. Some Slovak pilots as part of
Czechoslovak Legionnaires served even in
French Air Force or
Imperial Russian Air Service. Jozef Kiss and Fritz Wowy were two of the best Slovak pilots in
World War I.
1918–1939 light bomber and
reconnaissance biplane of the Czechoslovak Air Force Much of Austria-Hungary's manufacturing companies were Czech, therefore Czechoslovakia could quickly develop an
aircraft industry. As the industry developed it designed more aircraft and engines of its own. Czechoslovak aircraft builders included
Aero,
Avia,
Beneš-Mráz,
Letov,
Praga,
Tatra and
Zlín. Engine makers included
ČKD,
Walter and
Škoda.
1939–1945 of the Slovak Air Force during World War II After the division of
Czechoslovakia by
Nazi Germany in 1939, Slovakia was left with a small air force composed primarily of Czechoslovak combat aircraft. This force defended Slovakia against Hungary in 1939, and took part in the invasion of Poland in support of Germany. During the
World War II, the Slovak Air force was charged with the defense of Slovak airspace, and, after the invasion of Russia, provided air cover for Slovak forces fighting against the
Soviet Union on the
Eastern Front. While engaged on the Eastern Front, Slovakia's obsolete biplanes were replaced with German combat aircraft, including the
Messerschmitt Bf 109. The air force was sent back to Slovakia after combat fatigue and desertion had reduced the pilots' effectiveness. Slovak air units took part in the
Slovak National Uprising against Germany from late August 1944.
1945–1992 of the Czechoslovak Air Force During this time Czechoslovakia was a member of the
Eastern Bloc, allied with the
Soviet Union, and from 1955 a member of the
Warsaw Pact. Because of this, the Czechoslovak Air Force used Soviet aircraft, doctrines, and tactics. The types of aircraft were mostly
MiGs.
MiG-15,
MiG-19, and
MiG-21F fighters was produced in license; in the 1970s,
MiG-23MF were bought, accompanied by
MiG-23ML and
MiG-29s in the 1980s. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Czechoslovak Air Force consisted of the 7th Air Army, which had air defense duties, and the 10th Air Army, responsible for ground forces support. The 7th Air Army had two air divisions and three fighter regiments, and the 10th Air Army had two air divisions and a total of six regiments of fighters and attack aircraft. There were also two reconnaissance regiments, two transport regiments, three training regiments, and two helicopter regiments. In November 1989 Communism fell across Czechoslovakia. The two parliaments of the two new states from 1993, the
Czech Republic and
Slovakia, decided how to split the assets of the former air force. The assets were divided 2:1 in the Czechs' favor, and thus the Slovak Air Force was (re)formed. However the 20 MiG 29s were shared equally between the two countries.
1993–present of the Slovak Air Force After the formal dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, Czech and Slovak aircraft were divided according to each nation's population, in a ratio of nearly 2:1 in the Czech Republic's favor. The exceptions to this rule were the
MiG-23's, which were given exclusively to the Czech Air force, and the
MiG-29's, which were divided evenly between the two nations. Slovak bases were initially under-equipped to handle the aircraft transferred from the Czech bases, and required considerable improvements in infrastructure to facilitate the new air force. On March 1, 1995, the air force replaced the Soviet style aviation regiment organization with the western wing and squadron system. Around 2000–2002, Slovakia gradually retired many of the older aircraft, including the entire fleet of
Su-22,
Su-25, and
MiG-21. In 2004, the flight training academy and national aerobatic demonstration team Biele Albatrosy, both based at
Košice, were disbanded. On January 19, 2006, the Slovak Air Force lost an
Antonov An-24 in a
crash. On September 20, 2011, all of the remaining
Mil Mi-24 gunships were retired. attack helicopter In October 2014, the government approved the purchase of tactical transport aircraft
Alenia C-27J Spartan. In January 2014, Slovakia started discussions with the
Swedish Government regarding leasing or purchasing
JAS-39 Gripen aircraft to replace their
MiG-29 fighters. In April 2015, the Slovak government announced it would buy nine
UH-60M utility helicopters to replace its fleet of
Mi-17 helicopters. The deal worth US$261 million includes also full life-cycle support for the aircraft and training for aircrews and ground personnel. On December 12, 2018, Slovakia signed a contract to acquire 14
F-16V/Block 70 with additional equipment. All are to be delivered by 2025. The first completed jet was unveiled by the manufacturer on 7 September 2023, and first two aircraft were delivered to Slovakia on 22 July 2024. On April 13, 2022, Slovakia was negotiating with Bayraktar about the procurement of
Bayraktar TB2. The negotiations been never formally ended.
surface-to-air missile system of Slovak Air Force given to
Ukraine as military aid. On October 13, 2022, Slovakia joined
European Sky Shield Initiative. To strengthen future air defense procurement. In 2022, Slovakia has donated its
S-300 missile system to
Ukraine to aid in fighting against the
Russian invasion. On September 6, 2023, Slovakia has started the acquisition of medium and short range air defence missile systems (
SHORAD/MRAD) with budget of 200 million Euros. The acquisition of these systems is part of first stage out of three stages. Among the medium-range systems, Slovakia has been choosing these systems
Barak 8,
SPYDER,
IRIS-T and
MICA. From Short range systems Slovakia was choosing between
Piorun,
RBS 70,
Mistral 3 and
KP-SAM Chiron. The systems have not yet been purchased, but negotiations with governments about the acquisition have already begun. On February 7, 2024 Slovakia is comparing
NASAMS,
IRIS-T,
KM-SAM with the winners of the past tender
Barak 8. In August 2024, Slovak government approved plans to buy six mobile air defence systems
Barak 8 from Israel. == Slovak aid to Ukraine ==