Slovakia became an independent country after the peaceful break-up of Czechoslovakia in January 1993. As decided, the new air force inherited half of the former country’s fleet of MiG-29 fighters, including the type’s maintenance facilities. Additional deliveries of MiG-29s followed and gave air force a credible fighter force. Many years later, Slovakia remains one of only a few European countries that still flies these smoky twin tails. A good reason to visit Slovakia and get a taste of Eastern European military aviation, as it used to be.
Annually, the Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) is organized at the country’s sole fighter base: Sliac. A scramble of two MiG-29s opened the air display program, which was filled with many highlights. Armed with missiles, the MiGs happened to be intercepting a special guest…
The country’s new presidential aircraft was led to Sliac by the MiGs and made a spectacular low pass before coming in for a short stop. Its color scheme is no less spectacular!
Another government agency, the Slovak national police, displayed its counter terrorism skills with this new Mi-171, a derivative of the mass produced Mil Mi-8 helicopter.
The Ukrainian air force brought the stars of the show, a pair of locally upgraded Su-27 fighters, famous for their great power and maneuverability.
The single seater put on an awesome display, ending with the large drag chute being pulled, just the way we like it.
We also like jet warbirds, especially if they are flown in original colors like this Slovak registered L-29 Delfin. Without a doubt, this is a new star of the Eastern European warbird scene…
Not to mention the MiG-15UTI, which were built in great numbers in Czechoslovakia (as CS-102) and Poland (SB Lim-2) under license. Many of these still exist, although few are in flying condition, like this immaculate OK-UTI.
A recent trend is to paint aviation pioneers, heroes and aces on the tails of fighter aircraft. The 2nd squadron, based at Sliac, follows this trend, with one of its L-39s displaying Slovak national Sqn/Ldr Otto Smik, who led 127 sqn of the Royal Air Force during the 2nd World War and was fatally shot down near Zwolle, The Netherlands.