SLOVAK AIRFORCE

( 1996. )

In the end of 1992. the former Czech and Slovak Republic divided into two separate countries. After the two countries' separation the separation of the armed forces was the most difficult problem to solve for Slovakia. It was not enough to divide the combat equipment but Slovakia had to build new bases for its armed forces. In the airforce point of view there was a strange situation because only one airforce unit of the former Czechoslovakia was based in the Slovak territory. So not only tons of equipment had to transport to its new location but they had to accommodate the aircrews and their families and they had to transport the aircrafts their new locations too. By the end of 1992. the total separation of the two airforces are finished so we can mention independent Slovak Airforce from that time.

The situation of the Slovak Airforce

After solving the problems of the relocation the pilot training and the improvement of the readiness got more and more importance in the new airforce. The annual flight time of the pilots was increased from the previous 50 hours to 80-90 hours which caused a noticeable improvement of the flight and readiness level. The only one accident in 40000 flight hours is the best evidence for that. After five years the pilots took part in shooting practice in Poland. Most of the pilots speak English language which has particular importance in the more frequent western visit flights.

The development of the new IFF identification system is in progress which is not operational yet but it will be available if Slovakia become the member of the NATO. Slovakia's modern air control system the LETVIS is used in the Czech Republic and is ( being ) used by Ukraine, as well. The airforce established the Flight Research Institute which has the task to modernise the equipment already in use of the Slovak Airforce.

Structure

• 1 fighter regiment with 3 squadrons
• 1 fighterbomber regiment with 3 squadrons
• 1 transport regiment with 2 squadrons
• 1 helicopter regiment with 3 squadrons
• Airforce Academy

Currently operating types

• fighter aircrafts
  • 2 squadrons ( 9/11/3 ) MiG-29 A/B/UB

• attack/recconnaissance aircrafts
  • 1 squadron ( 17/3 ) Su-22 M4/UM3
  • 1 squadron ( 12/1 ) Su-25 K/UBK

• training aircrafts
  • 10/2/2 L-39 C/V/MS
  • 12 L-29
  • 3 L-410 UVP-T
  • 1 squadron ( 6 ) L-39 ZA
  • 1 squadron ( 4 ) L-29, ( 2 ) L-39 ZA

• transport aircrafts
  • 1 squadron ( 1 ) An-12, ( 2 ) An-24, ( 2 ) An-26, ( 1 ) Jak-40, ( 2/3/2 ) L-410 MA/UVP/FG, ( 1 ) Tu-154 B2

• helicopters
  • 2 squadrons ( 8/1/9 ) Mi-24 D/DU/V
  • 1 squadron ( 10 ) Mi-17
  • 1 squadron ( 10 ) Mi-2
  • 1 squadron ( 2 ) Mi-2, ( 4 ) Mi-17, ( 8 ) Mi-8 T, ( 1 ) Mi-8 PPA, ( 1 ) Mi-17 Z2

The units of the Slovak Airforce

1st Fighter Regiment - Sliac

The regiment concentrate all of the fighters of the airforce. Some of their MiG-29s were inherited from the Czechoslovak Airforce while others were given as a Russian payment of debt for Slovakia. The L-39 aircrafts are for courier and training purposes.

• 2 squadrons ( 9/11/3 ) MiG-29 A/B/UB
• 1 squadron ( 6 ) L-39 ZA

2nd Transport Regiment - Piestany

The regiment takes care of the passenger and cargo transport of the airforce. One Mi-8 or Mi-17 helicopter is in permanent readiness for rescue purpose.

• 1 squadron ( 1 ) An-12, ( 2 ) An-24, ( 2 ) An-26, ( 1 ) Jak-40, ( 2/3/2 ) L-410 MA/UVP/FG, ( 1 ) Tu-154 B2
• 1 squadron ( 2 ) Mi-2, ( 4 ) Mi-17, ( 8 ) Mi-8 T, ( 1 ) Mi-8 PPA, ( 1 ) Mi-17 Z-2

3rd Fighterbomber Regiment - Malacky-Kuchyna

The fighterbomber regiment has all of the attack and reconnaissance aircrafts of the airforce. The reconnaissance is performed by the Su-22s. The L-29s and L-39s are for courier and training purposes.

• 1 squadron ( 17/3 ) Su-22 M4/UM3
• 1 squadron ( 12/1 ) Su-25 K/UBK
• 1 squadron ( 4 ) L-29, ( 2 ) L-39 ZA

4th Helicopter Regiment - Presov

The helicopters of the airforce are based at Presov. The Mi-24s are for attack purpose while Mi-17 are for airborne troop operations and the Mi-2 are for transport, courier and reconnaissance purpose.

• 2 squadrons ( 8/1/9 ) Mi-24 D/DU/V
• 1 squadron ( 10 ) Mi-17
• 1 squadron ( 10 ) Mi-2

Airforce Academy - Kosice

The acedemy is controlled by the Ministery of Defence. Its purpose to train pilots and technicians for the airforce. This is the base of the White Albatroses aerobatic team formed by the instructor pilots of the academy with L-39s.

• 10/2/2 L-39 C/V/MS
• 12 L-29
• 3 L-410 UVP-T

Pilot training

Pilot training is carried out in the Airforce Academy at Kosica. There is also a possibility to train foreign students as well in English, German, French or Hungarian language. At the beggining of the 4 years training students got basic flight training with the Zlin 142 propeller driven aircraft and later go on with the L-29 basic jet trainer. Later best students are trained as fighter and fighterbomber pilots at Kosice together with transport pilots while helicopter pilots are trained at Presov.

Changes

The Slovak Airforce is the only one East European airforce which don't plan to change its Russian fighters to modern western aircrafts. The newest purchase of the airforce is 13 MiG-29 aircrafts which were arrived in 1994. and 1995. as a payment of the Russian debt against Slovakia. There are no plans for further purchases what's more they retired the old MiG-21 aircrafts and pay more attention to quality instead of quantity.