PRAGUE (Reuters) – The first deliveries of new U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Slovakia will come a year later than expected, in 2024, the Slovak Defence Ministry said on Thursday. The ministry said the delay was due to supply issues coming from the two-year-old coronavirus pandemic and the global chip shortage. “The U.S. government notified Slovak government about the delay in delivery of F-16 fighter jets by 12-14 months,” the ministry said. It said the first deliveries should arrive in the first half of 2024. Slovakia, a NATO member, signed a deal in 2018 to buy 14 jets, worth around $1.6 bi…