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Portugal will present the symbol of the alliance in its premiere

The first confirmed premiere of this year's NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days is the first ever participation of the Portuguese Air Force. Its two F-16M aircraft will be presented to visitors on a static display.

Thanks to the great international prestige of the event, Mošnov Airport still manages to attract participants from other countries. The first participation of Portugal also means the involvement of another NATO member state. Moreover, the F-16s are one of the symbols of the North Atlantic Alliance, as they are in service in more than a third of its member countries.

"Portugal's premier participation is an important symbol this year. It will not only present the aviation symbol of the Alliance in the form of the F-16 aircraft, but also the partnership and cooperation within NATO," said Zbyněk Pavlačík, chairman of Jagello 2000. "F-16 machines have been presented at every year of the event since 2007, and we are glad that thanks to Portugal this year will not be an exception either."

The first flight of the 4th generation F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole aircraft dates back to 1974, making it already a seasoned veteran of the Cold War era. Thanks to its qualities and constant modernization, the F-16 is still produced and included in the armament of the air forces, although some countries are already replacing them with the 5th generation F-35 Lightning II machines.  

The Portuguese Air Force has a total of 28 F-16 aircraft in the F-16 AM/BM versions, which have improved cockpit and avionics, and can have a radar for air-to-air missiles. The general goal of the modernization was to extend the life of the aircraft and increase their operational capabilities.
 

See you at
the NATO Days in Ostrava
& Czech Air Force Days!