Czechia and Poland join to protect Slovak airspace

The Czech and Polish Air Force started to patrol Slovak airspace on Thursday after the NATO member stopped using Russian-made MiG fighter airplanes. Slovakia will rely on the help of its allies until it completes the purchase of US F16s.

The deal on the protection of Slovak skies was signed last week by the Czech, Slovak and Polish defence ministers. It is valid by the end of 2023, but can be extended.

The Czech Air Force has also been deployed in the Baltics as part of a NATO mission. Five Czech Gripen fighter jets and 95 military personnel have been guarding Baltic airspace since the start of April and will be deployed there until the end of September.