Slovak Air Force
| Slovak Air Force | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1939–1945 1993–Present |
| Country |  Slovakia |
| Size | 36 aircraft |
| Commanders | |
| Air Force Commander | Generálmajor Martin Babiak |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Low-visibility Roundel |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | L-39ZAM, Mi-17M |
| Fighter | MiG-29AS/UBS |
| Trainer | L-39CM, Mi-17M,Mi-2 |
| Transport | An-26, L-410, Mi-17M, Mi-2 |
The Slovak Air Force, known since 2002 as the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Slovak: Vzdušné Sily Ozbrojených Síl Slovenskej Republiky), is the aviation and air defense branch of the Slovak Armed Forces. Operating 36 aircraft from 3 major bases - Kuchyňa, Sliač, Prešov. It succeeded the Czechoslovak Air Force together with the Czech Air Force in 1993. The Slovak Air Force is part of NATO Integrated Air Defense System - NATINADS.
The Slovak Air Force is tasked with the defence of the sovereign Slovak state and the support of the nation's ground troops.[1] 12 Russian upgraded combat aircraft MiG-29 together with 10 modernised basic and light advanced trainers L-39 CM, ZAM dominate the inventory, followed by the Czech built Let L-410 transport aircraft and decreasing number of AN-26 platforms. The helicopter fleet consists of the Mil Mi-17. In the past also from Mil Mi-24 (withdrawn from service 20.9.2011). The Slovak Air Force has been under the command of Generálmajor Martin Babiak since May 2010.
History
1939-1945
After the division of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany in 1939, Slovakia was left with a small air force composed primarily of Czechoslovakian combat aircraft. This force defended Slovakia against Hungary in 1939, and took part in the invasion of Poland in support of Germany. During the Second World War, the Slovak Air force was charged with the defence of Slovak airspace, and, after the invasion of Russia, provided air cover for Slovak forces fighting against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front.[2] While engaged on the Eastern Front, Slovakia’s obsolete biplanes were replaced with German combat aircraft, including the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The air force was sent back to Slovakia after combat fatigue and desertion had reduced the pilots' effectiveness. Slovak air units took part in the Slovak National Uprising against Germany from late August 1944.
1946-1992
During this time Czechoslovakia was member of the Eastern Bloc, allied with the Soviet Union, and from 1955 a member of the Warsaw Pact. Because of this, the Czechoslovak Air Force used Soviet aircraft, doctrines and tactics. The types of aircraft were mostly MiGs. Fighters MiG-15, MiG-19 and MiG-21F was produced in licence; in 1970s, MiG-23MF were bought, accompanied by -23MLs and MiG-29s in 1980s.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Czechoslovak Air Force consisted of the 7th Air Army, which had air defence duties, and the 10th Air Army, responsible for ground forces support.[3] The 7th Air Army had two air divisions and three fighter regiments, and the 10th Air Army had two air divisions and a total of six regiments of fighters and attack aircraft. There were also two reconnaissance regiments, two transport regiments, three training regiments, and two helicopter regiments.
In November 1989 the communist leaders and guidelines fell across Czechoslovakia. The two parliaments of the two new states the Czech republic and Slovakia, dissolved their union on 1 January 1993. The assets of the former airforce were divided 2:1 in the Czech favour, and thus the Slovak Air Force was (re)formed. However the 20 MiG 29s were shared equally between the two countries.
1993-present
After the formal dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, Czech and Slovak aircraft were divided according to each nation's population, in a ratio of nearly 2:1 in the Czech Republic's favor.[4] The exceptions to this rule were the MiG-23's, which were given exclusively to the Czech Air force, and the MiG-29's, which were divided evenly between the two nations. Slovak bases were initially under-equipped to handle the aircraft transferred from the Czech bases, and required considerable improvements in infrastructure to facilitate the new air force. On March 1, 1995, the air force replaced the Soviet style Aviation Regiment organization with the western wing and squadron system.[5] In the following years, Slovakia gradually retired many of the older aircraft, including the entire fleet of Su-22 attack bombers and MiG-21 interceptors. In 2004, the flight training academy and national aerobatic demonstration team Biele Albatrosy, both based at Košice, were disbanded.[6]
In 2006 the Air Force lost an An-24 in a crash.In 2011 all of the remaining Mi-24D/V´s were retired.
Bases and Commands
Aviation assets are divided between three major air bases throughout the country, at Malacky-Kuchyňa, Sliač, and Prešov, headquarters of air force is at Zvolen
File:Vvzs.jpgHeadquarters of Slovak Air Force (Veliteľstvo Vzdušných síl OS SR), based at Zvolen
File:Dlkkuchyna.jpgAir Transport Wing (Dopravné letecké krídlo), based at Malacky-Kuchyňa[7]
- 1st Air Transport Flight (Dopravný roj): An-26
- 2nd Air Transport Flight (Dopravný roj): L-410
.jpg)
File:Lzsliac.png Mixed Air Wing (Zmiešané letecké krídlo), based at Sliač[7] -
- File:1. stihacia letka sliac.png 1st Squadron (1. Letka): MiG-29AS, UBS
- File:2.squadron sliač.jpg 2nd Squadron (2. Letka): L-39CM, ZAM
File:Letecka zakladna Presov logo.jpg Mixed Helicopter Wing (Vrtuľníkové letecké krídlo), based at Prešov[7]
- File:Mi-17 sqn logo.png Transport Helicopter Squadron (Dopravná vrtuľníková letka): Mi-17M
- Search and Rescue unit (Vyhľadávacia a záchranná služba): Mi-17 LPZS
File:Slovak Air Force (logo).png Anti-aircraft rocket brigade (Protilietadlová raketová brigáda), based at Nitra
.png){kind=link}
- 1st Anti-aircraft rocket group (1. Protilietadlová raketová skupina, Nitra): SA-10A Grumble (S-300PMU)
- 2nd Anti-aircraft rocket group. (2.Protilietadlová raketová skupina, Nitra): 2K12 Kub
File:Bvrp (logo).jpg Command, Control and Surveillance Brigade (Brigáda velenia, riadenia a priezkumu), based at Zvolen
.jpg){kind=link}
Current Equipment 1.5.2012
Aircraft
| Aircraft | Photo | Origin | Type | Versions | Number[5]: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighter Aircraft | ||||||
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 | 
|
 Soviet Union
|
Fighter Training |
MiG-29AS MiG-29UBS |
10 2 |
8 MiG-29A and 1 MiG-29UB stored [8] |
| Trainer Aircraft | ||||||
| Aero L-39 Albatros | ,_static_display,_Radom_AirShow_2005,_Poland.jpg)
|
 Czechoslovakia
|
Light attack Basic and advanced training |
L-39ZAM L-39CM |
4 4 |
Currently all engines are repairing and overhauling |
| Transport Aircraft | ||||||
| Antonov An-26 | 
|
Soviet Union
|
Transport | An-26 | 2 | Cargo and VIP transport |
| Let L-410 Turbolet | File:L-410 Turbolet Slovak Air Force.jpg | Czechoslovakia
|
Transport | L-410FG L-410UVP-E L-410UVP-E20 |
1 2 2 |
used for light transport, parachute training, photographic mapping and VIP transport[9] |
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Mil Mi-17 | 
|
Soviet Union
|
Transport Search and Rescue |
Mi-17M Mi-17 LPZS |
6 4 |
|
| UAV | ||||||
| Elbit Skylark | 
|
 Israel
|
UAV | Skylark | 5 | currently in possession of Ministry of Interior and 5th regiment of special assignment [10] |
| SAM systems | ||||||
| S-300 | File:Slovak S-300.jpg | Soviet Union
|
Long range air defense system | S-300PMU | 1 battery | |
| 2K12 Kub | 
|
Soviet Union
|
Low to medium range air defense system | 2K12 Kub | 4 batteries | |
See also
- Military of Slovakia
- Ground Forces of the Slovak Republic
- Slovak National Uprising
- 2006 Slovak Air Force Antonov An-24 crash
References
- ^ http://www.mosr.sk/index.php?page=176%7CSlovak Ministry of Defence web site
- ^ http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/2072/Slovakaf.html|Long[dead link], Jason. Eagals of the Tartras,:The Slovak Airforce 1939-1945,
- ^ ed David Oliver, Eastern European Air Power, No 3 in the AFM Airpower Series, Key Publishing Ltd, Stamford, Lincs, 1990-91, p.38-41
- ^ Ed. David Donald.The Pocket Guide to Military Aircraft and the World's Air Forces. Ed. David Donald. London:Hamlyn. 2001 ISBN 0-600-60302-4
- ^ a b Slovak Air Arms
- ^ Slovak Air Force at Scramble
- ^ a b c Scramble on the Web - Slovak Air Force
- ^ Slovakia military aviation OrBat
- ^ Slovakian military aviation OrBat
- ^ Pravda - Armáda kupila bezpilotné lietadlá
External links
- Official Homepage of the Slovak Air Force
- Slovak Ministry of Defence page on the Slovak Air Force(en, sk)
- Home page of Slovakia's 1 Fighter Squadron(en, sk)
- Home page of 2nd Training Squadron, AFB Sliac(sk)
- Website of the former Slovak Flight demonstration team(en, sk)
- Website of the disbanded Slovak Military Flight Academy(sk)
- Scramble on the Web page for the Slovak Air Force(en)
- Aeroflight World Airforces on Slovakia(en)
- Eagles of the Tatras: The Slovak Airforce 1939 - 1945(en)