Slovak Air Force

Slovak Air Force
Slovak Air Force emblem
Active	1939-1945 1993-2017
Country	Slovakia
Allegiance	NATO
Size	25 aircraft 9 helicopters 3.200 personnel
Commanders
Air Force Commander	Major General Miroslav Korba
Insignia
Roundel
Low-visibility Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack	L-39ZAM
Fighter	MiG-29AS/UBS
Trainer	L-39CM
Transport	L-410, Mi-17

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. It operates 25 aircraft and 9 helicopters from 3 air bases: Malacky Air Base, Sliac Air Base, Prešov Air Base. Together with the Czech Air Force, it succeeded the Czechoslovak Air Force in 1993. The Slovak Air Force is part of the NATO Integrated Air and Missiles Defense System – NATINADS.

The Slovak Air Force is tasked with the defense of the sovereign Slovak state and the support of the nation's ground troops. Ten Russian upgraded fighter aircraft MiG-29 together with seven modernized basic and light advanced trainers (Aero L-39) dominate the inventory, followed by the seven Let L-410s. The last Antonov An-26 transport aircraft were withdrawn from service on March 4, 2016. The helicopter fleet consists of the nine Mil Mi-17s. The Slovak Air Force has been under the command of Major General Miroslav Korba since September 15, 2012.

After the division of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany in 1939, Slovakia was left with a small air force composed primarily of Czechoslovak combat aircraft. This force defended Slovakia against Hungary in 1939, and took part in the invasion of Poland in support of Germany. During the World War II, the Slovak Air force was charged with the defense of Slovak airspace, and, after the invasion of Russia, provided air cover for Slovak forces fighting against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. 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.