Declaration between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on protecting the airspace of the Slovak Republic

On December 11, 2024, the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic Jana Černochová and her Slovak counterpart Robert Kaliňák signed a bilateral Declaration on the Joint Commitment to Protect the Airspace of the Slovak Republic.

In the context of the current unfavourable security situation, solidarity between Allies and good neighbourly relations, the countries agreed that the Czech Airforce will continue in its current mission to protect the airspace of the Slovak Republic also in 2025 until Slovakia is able to carry out this task with its own capabilities.

The mission will be carried out as part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). For the purpose of the mission, the Czech Republic will provide the necessary fighter aircraft and crews ready to respond quickly to any violations of the Slovak Republic’s airspace. Slovakia will provide support as the host nation, including refuelling services, air navigation and asset protection, if necessary.

The Czech Republic has been involved in the protection of Slovak skies together with Poland since September 2022, when Slovakia decided on early retirement of its MiG-29 fighter aircraft. In July 2023, Hungary joined the joint commitment to protect the Slovak airspace, and the related Visegrad Group declaration was signed, valid until the end of 2024.

Slovakia has already received the first two of a total of fourteen F-16 fighters ordered, third one should be delivered by the end of this year. However, this number is not enough to carry out full-fledged Air Policing over its own territory. Slovakia has therefore asked the Czech Republic and Hungary to extend their commitments to protect its airspace to the next year.

The signed declaration also confirms the willingness of Slovakia to help protect the Czech Republic’s airspace in the future if this is needed for any reason.