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is well up to comparison with

the F-16 in all aspects. It

has shown that many times

in Czech and Hungarian

operations and also at

Red Flag. The Gripen’s

performance matches the F-16

and exceeds it in some areas.”

The report goes on to say

that the Gripen’s lack of future

modernisation potential played a big

part in the government’s decision:

“Airspace could [only] be protected

to a limited extent, because one

aircraft cannot address both the air

and ground targets simultaneously.”

Thorbjörnsson refuted this. “The

Gripen was designed at the outset

as a multi-role aircraft. Look at our

competitors: the F-16, Eurofighter

Typhoon and Rafale all started life

as air defence fighters and the

air-to-ground capabilities were

added later.” He continued: “It

is extremely easy for the pilot to

work with different assignments

and go from one type of mission

to another. That was the whole

basis of the aircraft’s design!”

Slovakia also judged the Gripen’s

PS-05 radar inferior to the F-16’s

active electronically scanned

array (AESA) AN/APG-83.

Thorbjörnsson explained:

“Saab are developing a new

radar by step. Initially we have

replaced the back end, which

will enhance its performance

significantly and we are working

with gallium nitride [GaN] for the

front end of the Gripen C/D.”

He continued: “The Slovak Air

Force never confirmed an AESA

requirement. AESA is a buzzword

and has a lot of benefits, but

it has nothing to do with radar

performance and detection range

Slovak

MiG

boss

Lt Col Marián ‘Buker’

Bukovský commands

Slovakia’s 1. taktická

letka (1st Tactical Squadron) and has

been flying the MiG-29 since 2000,

notching up 2,000 hours. He’s an

operational pilot, flying instructor, test

pilot and display pilot and told AFM

he flies around 100 hours per year.

Two MiG-29s accommodate the

quick reaction alert (QRA) huts,

on the northeast of the airfield,

armed with R-60 (AA-8 Aphid)

or R-73 (AA-11 Archer) AAMs.

While Slovakia has ten single-seaters

and two dual-seaters, only around

six are thought to be operational,

including both two-seaters. The

Fulcrums are expected to continue

protecting Slovakia’s airspace

for the next four to five years.

Above: A Czech Gripen at Sliač. The Saab fi ghter lost out to the F-16V,

but could still ultimately protect Slovakia. Under a recent agreement with

Prague, Czech Gripens could be used for air defence if Slovakia’s MiG-29s

are retired before the F-16s arrive in 2023. Igor Bozinovski Left: The 1. taktická

letka commander Lt Col Marián ‘Buker’ Bukovský. He fl ew alongside Lt Col

Martin ‘Mat’ Kuterka in the MiG-29 display at the Slovak International Air

Fest on September 1-2. Alan Warnes Below: The Block 70 F-16V will feature

a new AESA radar and enhanced cockpit avionics including a large central

multifunctional display. Alan Warnes

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