Slovak, British pilots to practise air-to-air combat

The skies above Sliac in Central Slovakia will feature an unusual spectacle over the next couple of weeks -- mock air-to-air combat, with Slovak and British fighter pilots taking part in joint exercises.

According to Slovak Defence Ministry spokesperson Danka Capakova on Thursday, the two-week training exercise (Aug. 12-25) will involve members of the Slovak Air Force and instructors and service personnel from No. 100 Squadron of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.

"Three British BAE Hawk aircraft are due to land at Sliac Air Base on Friday. Following theoretical preparation, joint Slovak-British crews flying Hawks will train in various aerial battles in order to gain practical experience," added Capakova.

The British squadron has already undergone joint exercises with the Slovak Air Force in the past -- also at Sliac in 2015.

Meanwhile, one of the BAE Hawks will be on display at the SIAF 2016 international air show in Sliac over the final weekend of August.

Source : XINHUA