Slovakia’s armed forces resumed full responsibility for protecting the country’s airspace on the morning of 28 October, using F-16 fighters supported by ground-based air-defence units. The handover ends several years of air cover provided by neighbouring allies after Slovakia grounded its MiG-29 fleet. The return of national fighter-based air policing puts Slovak aircraft back into the country’s air-defence role, although operational readiness and deployment details have not been disclosed.
Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary covered Slovak airspace after the MiG-29s were withdrawn. Slovakia transferred all 13 aircraft to Ukraine in 2023. The country ordered 14 F-16s; ten are now in Slovakia, while four remain in the United States for training. The transition to air-policing duties was delayed, with a shortage of maintenance personnel among the reported constraints.
Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák also reported that another battery of Israel’s Barak MX air-defence system was expected by the end of 2026, with a third due the following year. He said additional F-16s were expected between 2030 and 2032.