U.S. Congress begins with the process of approving the potential sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Slovakia

Acting on the request from the SVK MOD, a proposed Foreign Military Sale to Slovakia has reached the Congressional notification process, whereby U.S. Congress is in the process of approving the potential sale of F-16 supersonic fighter aircraft for a framework price of US$2.91 billion. Once approved, the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) will be officially provided to Slovakia. The framework price already includes an additional US$1 billion, to cater for the customerʼs future requirements without the need to undergo the approval process again. In terms of using the possibilities of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, this procedure is normal and necessary, and was also used in purchasing the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, when a further €130 million was added to the framework price.
    
At the same time, the MOD makes it clear that even if U.S. Congress approves the FMS purchase, it does not mean that the MOD has made the decision to purchase this type of supersonic fighter aircraft. After considering the U.S. and Swedish offers, the SVK Minister of Defence will submit the most efficient solution to the SVK Cabinet for approval no later than 29 June 2018.
 
More information on the U.S. offer, which is currently subject to approval by U.S. Congress, will be made public on the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)’s website. The U.S. offer for the Slovak Republic will include a schedule of payment for the aircraft and armament, training and logistic support. As a whole, the MOD will compare it with the offer of the Swedish side for the purchase of the JAS 39 Gripen. Slovakia is interested in buying a total of 14 aircraft.