Minister Gajdoš opens the 8th Slovak International Air Fest SIAF 2018
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- Date: 01.09.2018
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Slovak Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš has today (1 September 2018) opened the 8th Slovak International Air Fest SIAF 2018 at Sliač Air Base. Several novelties have been announced in advance of the airshow for the visitors to SIAF 2018. For the first time they will get a more close-up experience of the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft in service with the SVK Air Force, and the 8x8 IFV prototype will be on display on Sunday. The theme of this yearʼs Aviation Days is the centenary of the Czechoslovak Air Force.
On the latest additions to the SVK Air Force inventory, Slovak Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “That we now have more new assets in service with our Air Force compared to last year is positive news for the citizens of the Slovak Republic. As well as fielding another two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, we have also put two C-27J Spartan airlifters into service. Thanks to them, our soldiers are better equipped to respond to crisis situations wherever it is needed, whether that means deploying on aerial firefighting over hardly accessible terrain, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations or operations in other emergencies.”
In his statement on SIAF 2018, SVK Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko remarked that over 500 SVK personnel are supporting the airshow this year and that there are 151 air and ground-based assets at Sliač Air Base. “Let me thank everyone organising this event for supporting the SVK Armed Forces in presenting their capabilities as well as our pilots in demonstrating the art and mastery of their flying skills,” he said.
13 countries with over 60 aircraft are expected to be present at this yearʼs international airshow with an array of flying acts and ground-based aircraft across the static area. In addition to UH-60M Black Hawk rotorcraft and C-27J Spartan airlifters, the Slovak Air Force will stage both static and flying displays of Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets, Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers, Let L-410 Turbolet transport aircraft, and Mil Mi-17 helicopters.
On the future additions to the SVK Air Force fleet and the defence of SVK airspace, Minister Gajdoš said: “In the future our Air Force fleet will be enriched by the new production F-16 fighter jets, the purchase of which has been approved by the SVK Government. Thus, our skies will be defended by the SVK Air Force with the use of US fighter jets, thanks to which we will not lose one of the most important capabilities – the capability to defend SVK airspace for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”.
Head of the MOD further underlined that SIAF is an excellent opportunity for presenting the work and equipment of Slovak servicemen and women to the wider public. Therefore, apart from the static aircraft park, the static display of SVK Army and Air Force hardware will include the 8x8 IFV prototype, the ZUZANA Self-propelled Gun Howitzer, the S-300 SBAD System, the T-72 tank, and Military Police (MP) vehicles and equipment.
On the latest additions to the SVK Air Force inventory, Slovak Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “That we now have more new assets in service with our Air Force compared to last year is positive news for the citizens of the Slovak Republic. As well as fielding another two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, we have also put two C-27J Spartan airlifters into service. Thanks to them, our soldiers are better equipped to respond to crisis situations wherever it is needed, whether that means deploying on aerial firefighting over hardly accessible terrain, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations or operations in other emergencies.”
In his statement on SIAF 2018, SVK Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko remarked that over 500 SVK personnel are supporting the airshow this year and that there are 151 air and ground-based assets at Sliač Air Base. “Let me thank everyone organising this event for supporting the SVK Armed Forces in presenting their capabilities as well as our pilots in demonstrating the art and mastery of their flying skills,” he said.
13 countries with over 60 aircraft are expected to be present at this yearʼs international airshow with an array of flying acts and ground-based aircraft across the static area. In addition to UH-60M Black Hawk rotorcraft and C-27J Spartan airlifters, the Slovak Air Force will stage both static and flying displays of Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets, Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers, Let L-410 Turbolet transport aircraft, and Mil Mi-17 helicopters.
On the future additions to the SVK Air Force fleet and the defence of SVK airspace, Minister Gajdoš said: “In the future our Air Force fleet will be enriched by the new production F-16 fighter jets, the purchase of which has been approved by the SVK Government. Thus, our skies will be defended by the SVK Air Force with the use of US fighter jets, thanks to which we will not lose one of the most important capabilities – the capability to defend SVK airspace for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”.
Head of the MOD further underlined that SIAF is an excellent opportunity for presenting the work and equipment of Slovak servicemen and women to the wider public. Therefore, apart from the static aircraft park, the static display of SVK Army and Air Force hardware will include the 8x8 IFV prototype, the ZUZANA Self-propelled Gun Howitzer, the S-300 SBAD System, the T-72 tank, and Military Police (MP) vehicles and equipment.
