P. Gajdoš: SIAF 2019 is an excellent opportunity to show progress in modernizing Slovak Air Force
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- Date: 03.08.2019
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The Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) is an excellent opportunity to show to the public the real progress achieved in modernizing the Slovak Air Force. This statement was made by Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš following the opening ceremony of the 9th Slovak International Air Fest at Sliač Air Base today (3 August 2019). Traditionally, the main programme of Slovakia’s biggest airshow is kicked off by a flypast of SVK Air Force aircraft. Flying displays of Slovak pilots make up the substantial part of the two-day air spectacular.
Defence Minister Gajdoš said: “Thanks to new and advanced air assets, this year’s major part of the airshow programme is based on demonstrations by the Slovak Air Force, which was far from possible just a few years ago. Today, we can boast of new Black Hawk helicopters, Spartan transport aircraft, and the strategic decision we have taken to purchase new fighter jets. We are turning the dream of each and every Slovak airman into a reality – we are gradually replacing outdated aircraft by the most advanced machines that are available on the market.” He reminded that the ongoing modernization is, first and foremost, aimed at improving the readiness of the Slovak Air Force in order to guarantee the security of all Slovak citizens.
Confirming that the new aircraft are especially intended for domestic crisis management, Director General of the SVK MOD’s Service Office/Chairman of the Committee on Design and Assessment of Strategic Documents Ján Hoľko said: “Thanks to the projects we have implemented, today we have more helicopters ready to battle fires across difficult terrain and our transport aircraft are ready for any emergency, any time. Because of the most extensive modernization project in the recent history of the Armed Forces – the procurement process of F-16 fighter jets – we will not lose one of the most important capabilities, i.e. the capability to secure one’s own protection of airspace.” This is also about preserving hundreds of jobs for specialists working at Sliač Air Base. “Yet another enormous success is that our Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín has become a strategic partner for the manufacturer of F-16 fighter jets and Black Hawk helicopters,” he added.
At SIAF 2019, the Slovak Air Force will present a total of 15 air assets and showcase its capabilities during an array of flying displays. A separate UH-60M Black Hawk show will be a novelty this year. MiG-29 fighter pilots will demonstrate their coordination with ground security elements as they intercept a C-27J Spartan. And SVK Special Operations Forces (SOF), flying UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, will utilise their capabilities in a SOF scenario.
Over the two days, there will be a large segment of SVK Army and SOF assets on static display, including armaments, equipment, clothing, small firearms, heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles, and the 8×8 Vydra IFV prototype, which is the cutting-edge product of the SVK defence industry. Apart from the Slovak Air Force, pilots from 12 countries will participate in SIAF 2019.
As well as enjoying the air spectacular and static park, visitors will be able to learn more about the ongoing modernization programmes of the Slovak Armed Forces. For the first time, Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín (LOTN) will be presented as a strategic partner of Lockheed Martin Corporation for the F-16 and UH-60M Black Hawk programmes.
SIAF 2019 is a unique opportunity to present to the public the work and capabilities of military aviation in protecting airspace and the new assets fielded with the SVK Armed Forces. At the airshow, potential candidates can talk to the Army Recruitment Team directly at Sliač Air Base and get information on how to join the Armed Forces, Voluntary Military Training (VMT) and the Active Reserves (AR).
Defence Minister Gajdoš said: “Thanks to new and advanced air assets, this year’s major part of the airshow programme is based on demonstrations by the Slovak Air Force, which was far from possible just a few years ago. Today, we can boast of new Black Hawk helicopters, Spartan transport aircraft, and the strategic decision we have taken to purchase new fighter jets. We are turning the dream of each and every Slovak airman into a reality – we are gradually replacing outdated aircraft by the most advanced machines that are available on the market.” He reminded that the ongoing modernization is, first and foremost, aimed at improving the readiness of the Slovak Air Force in order to guarantee the security of all Slovak citizens.
Confirming that the new aircraft are especially intended for domestic crisis management, Director General of the SVK MOD’s Service Office/Chairman of the Committee on Design and Assessment of Strategic Documents Ján Hoľko said: “Thanks to the projects we have implemented, today we have more helicopters ready to battle fires across difficult terrain and our transport aircraft are ready for any emergency, any time. Because of the most extensive modernization project in the recent history of the Armed Forces – the procurement process of F-16 fighter jets – we will not lose one of the most important capabilities, i.e. the capability to secure one’s own protection of airspace.” This is also about preserving hundreds of jobs for specialists working at Sliač Air Base. “Yet another enormous success is that our Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín has become a strategic partner for the manufacturer of F-16 fighter jets and Black Hawk helicopters,” he added.
At SIAF 2019, the Slovak Air Force will present a total of 15 air assets and showcase its capabilities during an array of flying displays. A separate UH-60M Black Hawk show will be a novelty this year. MiG-29 fighter pilots will demonstrate their coordination with ground security elements as they intercept a C-27J Spartan. And SVK Special Operations Forces (SOF), flying UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, will utilise their capabilities in a SOF scenario.
Over the two days, there will be a large segment of SVK Army and SOF assets on static display, including armaments, equipment, clothing, small firearms, heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles, and the 8×8 Vydra IFV prototype, which is the cutting-edge product of the SVK defence industry. Apart from the Slovak Air Force, pilots from 12 countries will participate in SIAF 2019.
As well as enjoying the air spectacular and static park, visitors will be able to learn more about the ongoing modernization programmes of the Slovak Armed Forces. For the first time, Aircraft Repair Company Trenčín (LOTN) will be presented as a strategic partner of Lockheed Martin Corporation for the F-16 and UH-60M Black Hawk programmes.
SIAF 2019 is a unique opportunity to present to the public the work and capabilities of military aviation in protecting airspace and the new assets fielded with the SVK Armed Forces. At the airshow, potential candidates can talk to the Army Recruitment Team directly at Sliač Air Base and get information on how to join the Armed Forces, Voluntary Military Training (VMT) and the Active Reserves (AR).
