Military Sciences

BASIC OPERATION CAPABILITIES OF THE SLOVAK

Pavel BUČKA*, Pavel NEČAS*

*Armed Forces Academy of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Liptovský Mikuláš,

Abstract: The paper describes basic operation capabilities of the Air Forces of the Slovak Republic. The capabilities have to be achieved within the specific requirements and capabilities and stem from the operational requirements, placed on the modern Air Forces conducting future operations and air campaigns. The Air Power, Air Defence tasks, and tactical Air Force assets are elaborated and characterized in this paper.

Keywords: Air Force, operational capabilities, NATINADS, MiG-29, sophistic weaponry.

1. INTRODUCTION use. The basic factors of effective deployment of airborne platforms are: Doctrine documents of the Allies - rapid projection of capabilities, abilities characterise the Air Force as the capability of and capacities, combat force projection in the air or space by - operation far away from protected objects, means of airborne platforms and guided - ability to operate deep in the operation missiles. Air force is best applied space, predominantly in joint and combined - rapid and flexible response to changes in operations over the whole scope of the the course of operation activity, conflict. It is the most powerful element in - wide range, manoeuvre capabilities of combat and combat - clear situation overview of the operation support operations. From the point of view the space, compatibility of future Air Forces of the - flexibility and versatility, Slovak Republic capabilities with other - concentrated impact of power, segments of the Slovak Republic Armed - sustainability depending on logistic Forces, the focus is on basic operation support, capabilities, which determine in decisive role - limited endurance in operation space, the quality increase in capabilities of task - vulnerability (on the ground and in the air). achievement, primarily in the airborne air These factors determine the advantage and defence within the Air Defence of Slovak special role of the Air Force in both military Republic Armed Forces. The capabilities have and non-military operations and missions, but, to be achieved with the specific requirements on the other hand, are limiting and narrowing and capabilities and stem from the operational ones in the planning and implementation of the requirements placed on the Air Forces of the deployment at different levels of conflicts. Slovak Republic in future operations and air The key advantages, crucial in the use of campaigns. the Air Force, can be found in such capabilities as rapid and flexible projection of 2. AIR FORCE SPECIFICS force in the area of interest without geographical limitation. Over the last several Air Force can be characterised by such years, Air Force has been used in a great fundamental and unique characteristics as the extent in the escalation of military force and movement in three-dimensional space, focused threat, as a part of complex political and on the wide range of height, velocity and range military strategies of deterring and persuasion. 104 Basic Operation Capabilities of the Slovak Air Force

Without favourable air situation over the have been adopted, which are decisive for operation space of Ground Force or the Navy, further development of air defence and Air Force cannot conduct operations with undermine the trends of development in the necessary freedom and operation pace. It following decades. They focus primarily on provides rapid reaction for the attack against the area of airborne operations and adequate point reinforced targets out of ground asset personnel training. The training in peace time range. conditions necessitates further requirements on It can supplement or replace artillery and the implementation of a wide range of armour fire power. It can operate standards according to the regulation and simultaneously against tactical operation and harmonising of air space utilisation within strategic targets in joint operation space. It International Civil Organization requires localised command, control and (ICAO). Furthermore, they involve the planning and decentralised operation focused preparation of an air unit for NATINADS on effects. Moreover, manned or unmanned system to meet NATO standards and criteria. airborne platforms, designed for surveillance, Modernisation of air and ground assets to search, observation and intelligence, are make navigation, communication and irreplaceable in achieving information and identification systems and devices compatible intelligence advantage, and decision-making for self-protection of in the whole process advantage as well [2, 3, 4]. electromagnetic spectrum also plays an important role. 3. AIR FORCE TASKS A system of regular evaluation of task achievement in the form of so-called Key Following comprehensive analyses and Tasks has been developed along with the real evaluation of possible contribution to joint Component Command Air HQ in Ramstein, defence of Alliance interests, responsibilities Germany [1].

SlovakSlovak ArmedArmed ForcesForces

TrainingTraining and and GroundGround AirAir SupportSupport ForcesForces ForceForce ForcesForces

1. Mechanized BDe Air Training Bn Topolčany Sliač Martin

2. Mechanized BDe Air Wing Logistic Base Prešov Kuchyňa Poprad, Nemšová

NBC Bn Air Wing Com Log Group Rožňava Prešov Trenčín

ENG Bn GBAD BDe Garrison HQ Sereď Nitra Bratislava

Support Bn C2 BDe Trenčín AS Bn Zvolen

Fig. 1 Structure of the Slovak Republic Armed Forces

The tasks of Air Force of the Slovak - the defence of the territory of the Slovak Republic Armed Forces (Fig. 1) can be divided Republic by all available assets and into the following basic categories: forces, 105 Military Sciences

- the defence of facilities of special force not being capable of meeting the importance and other important facilities, responsibilities and tasks in the necessary - providing the integrity of the Slovak effect, both to national and alliance Republic air space, responsibilities has become imminent. To ○ the defence of the Slovak Republic air divert this threat, the modernisation projects of space sovereignty, all types of current air assets have commenced ○ the defence of the NATO – NATINADS in order to provide compatibility and integrated air space, interoperability in both joint and international - providing support to aircraft in emergency operations. over the area of the Slovak Republic, Tactical aircraft assets currently represent - support of NATO and EU forces during 12+3 MiG-29 (10 Mig-29 AS, 2 MiG-29UBS, flybys, in the area of deployment and 2 Mig-29 A and 1 Mig-29UB), along with 10 during their deployment in the Slovak L-39 aircraft in CM and ZAM modifications, Republic- Host Nation Support, which represent the training system for tactical - onstant surveillance and monitoring of the air force. After the modernisation programme Slovak Republic air space. is completed by 2015, the tasks resulting from A section of the Air Force of the Slovak operation requirements can be successfully Republic Armed Forces has become a part of fulfilled [1, 2, 3]. joint integrated system of air space defence The diversity of airborne facilities in the NATINADS. The full participation in sharing area of operations and responsibility of the air the responsibilities, resulting from this fact, force is a challenge, and it also determines the requires a different understanding in relation to criteria for an effective weapon complex with previous approaches, mainly in the ways of adequate ground based technical and logistic operation preparation, personnel training and support and robust system of command, building specific capabilities. control and communication. The importance of The key role is taken by the functioning such system is also emphasised by the fact, integrated structure of command and control that the response to new threats of misuse of (C2), which relies on a complex summary of a civilian aircraft as a terrorist weapon, so information from the available sources and called RENEGATE, requires a rapid decision- sensors, its processing and the distribution to making process, which necessitates an all users. adequate system of command, control and Providing the defence of the sovereignty of communication. The effective achievement of the Slovak Republic air space in the context of common air space protection and defence tasks possible threats is an important part of the is a prerequisite for member countries Cross activities of the national system of integrated border Operations. air defence, in line with the Concept of Following the fore-mentioned requirements capabilities of the future Armed forces of the and tasks, the fundamental characteristics of Slovak Republic. The main assets of the the weapon complex developed in this way, airborne air defence comprise tactical aircraft can be summarised into the following key of the Air Force, equipped with combat and areas: training jet aircraft, stationed at Sliač Air - supersonic combat aircraft, Wing. - multi-purpose concept – multi-purpose use: Tactical Air Force has undergone a lot of ○ medium range active and passive guided changes over the period of the sovereignty of airborne target weapons, the Slovak Republic. Apart from a significant ○ accurate, guided ground target decrease in the total number of aircraft, ammunition, a major structure change has occurred as well. - integrated attack and defence systems, Over the last years, the Air Force has lost - data and information interconnectivity into specialised airborne platforms for effective a networked system of other combat ground operation support, due to high cost and platforms and sensors of the Armed Forces being not economical. The threat of the air of the Slovak Republic and NATO, 106 Basic Operation Capabilities of the Slovak Air Force

- aerial refuelling powerful , thus being - the possibility of operation deployment demanding for air personnel skills and from limited airport runways. experience. Only the pilots with the license for subsonic aircraft can be integrated 4. FIGHTER AIRCRAFT MiG-29 into the supersonic jet fighter training programme. Fighter aircraft MiG-29 AS and MiG-29 MiG-29 AS and MiG-29UBS have an UBS (FULCRUM) (Fig. 2) are supersonic jet extended technical lifecycle which is to expire fighter aircraft primarily designed to operate in between the years 2029 and 2035. After against airborne targets. They are closely their modernization the jet fighter aircraft are associated with the defence of airspace to meet the NATO norms and standards and sovereignty of the Slovak Republic. Since recommendations, which 2005 they have served as a part of an specify the compatibility between jet fighter integrated NATO Air Defence system within aircraft and communication, navigation and the European Allies. They belong to the most identification systems (CNS).

Fig. 2 Supersonic jet fighter aircraft MiG-29AS from Air Wing Sliač

General characteristics: - Range: 700 km (430 mi) - Crew: One - Ferry range: 2,100 km (1,800 mi) with 1 - Length: 17.37 m (57 ft) drop tank - Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 3 in) - Service ceiling: 18,013 m (59,100 ft) - Height: 4.73 m (15 ft 6 in) - Rate of climb: initial 330 m/s average 109 - Wing area: 38 m² (409 ft²) m/s 0-6000 m[101] (65,000 ft/min) - Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb) - Wing loading: 442 kg/m² (90.5 lb/ft²) - Loaded weight: 16,800 kg (37,000 lb) - Thrust/weight: 1.01 - Max takeoff weight: 21,000 kg (46,300 lb) The reasons for modernization: - Powerplant: 2×Klimov RD-33 after 1. The modification of cockpit equipment of burning turbofans, 8,300 kgf (81.4 kN, MiG-29 needs to be standardized according to 18,300 lbf) each the NATO requirements, which cover the Performance: interoperability of all systems. - Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 2. It is vital to regain the baseline MiG-29 1,490 mph) At low altitude: 1,500 km/h, performance, which includes ability to identify 930 mph airborne targets, according to NATO standards. 107 Military Sciences

3. The use of an original Russian navigation The mutual integration of Russian and system RSBN, which is the basic part of “western” systems guarantees the reliability airborne navigation and airborne weapon and safety of MiG-29 systems as a whole. This system, has been terminated by the resolution modernization meets the NATO standards of the Slovak Republic government. The defined for this type of air assets. It provides accomplishment of flying missions would be the compatibility of jet fighter systems with impossible without an appropriate replacement NATO systems (5-10 year period), thus of the original RSBN system. Replacement of providing space for considering the further the whole Russian RSBN system with a need for new jet fighter aircraft. primary NATO navigation system – TACAN means into an aircraft avionic system 5. CONCLUSIONS 4. Changing the flight data indication from metric system into Anglo-Saxon system. The Slovak Air Force performed an 5. The improvement of flight security in the upgrade on their MiG-29/29UB in order to international flight corridors. achieve full NATO compatibility. Work has The manufacturer of MiG-29 is in charge been done by RAC MiG and Western firms, of the modernization. It guarantees the utility starting from 2005. The aircraft now has of the system as a whole and the MiG-29 flight onboard navigation and communications security as well. The manufacturer cooperates systems from Rockwell Collins, an IFF system with BAE SYSTEMS, ROCKWELL from BAE Systems, new glass cockpit features COLLINS and Aircraft Repair Company multi-function LCD displays and digital Trenčín JSC. The modernization of processors and also fitted to be integrating networking and communication equipment is with Western equipment in the future. compatible with NATO equipment and meets However, the armaments of the aircraft remain the further requirements of interoperability in unchanged. Already 12 MiG-29 were combat operations. upgraded and had been delivered as of late The modernization of radio navigation February, 2008. systems meets NATO standards. Navigation equipment is fully compatible with NATO REFERENCES systems and guarantees safe navigation in international flight corridors and landing on 1. Koncepcia spôsobilostí budúcich both military and civilian airports. Vzdušných síl Slovenskej republiky, GŠ OS The modernization of identification SR, štáb požiadaviek a dlhodobého equipment meets the latest NATO standards. plánovania Bratislava, 2006; Such an extensive installation has never been 2. Bučka, P., Kelemen, M., Requirements performed in any MiG-29 jet fighter in the related to the Slovak republics Air Forces, world. The identification equipment will meet Medzinárodná konferencia International the standards and further NATO identification conference on military technologies 2009 v systems requirements. Also NATO jet fighters sekcii “Air Force, Aircraft and Rocket have to be newly equipped with the same Technology“, UO Brno Česká Republika, identification equipment to support 2009; compatibility. 3. Bučka, P., a kol, Koncepcia rozvoja PVO The modernization of cockpit is to bring SR do roku 2015, Záverečná výskumná better and easier equipment operating, data správa o riešení projektu ŠPP 096_06- readability, testing of newly installed RO02_RU21-240, AOS Liptovský Mikuláš, equipment and to lessen pilot stress during the 2007; flight, thus considerably improving the flight 4. Szabo, S., Kandráč, P., Slovenské letectvo safety of MiG-29. včera, dnes a zajtra, Euro-atlantic quarterly, The system of flight data indication and roč. 1, č. 3, 2006, s. 18-19; radio communication will be fully compatible 5. www.lietadla.com/lietadla/ruske/mig- with NATO jet fighters. 29.htm.

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