Air Base upgrade another milestone in Slovak-U.S. partnership

On July 10, 2024, the U.S. certified a new BAK-12 system, designed to protect fighter aircraft in emergency situations, to the Slovakian Ministry of Defense in advance of the arrival of Slovak F-16s later this month. By putting the BAK-12 arresting system into operation at Malacky Air Base, Slovakia, our Allies take another significant step to accommodate modern aircraft into their fleet and to bolster collective deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic. The ceremony included a demonstration of the new system by aircraft from the U.S. Air Force's 510th Fighter Squadron, based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, and remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Gautam Rana, who expressed his appreciation to Slovak and U.S. Air Force personnel and highlighted the work Slovakia has done to strengthen its defense capabilities.