The news comes as Lockheed executives talk to more potential customers at Farnborough.
Tony Osborne
The F-35 taking part in the flying display at Farnborough Airshow. Credit: Mark Wagner/Aviation Images
The Czech Republic has become the latest European country to opt for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, declaring plans to purchase 24 of the aircraft.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová announced July 20 that the government had given approvals to begin negotiations with Washington for the combat aircraft. Černochová said an inter-ministerial negotiating team had been formed to begin discussions on the purchase of 24 F-35As to equip two squadrons.
Such an order would give the Czech Republic the smallest F-35 fleet in Europe, just behind Denmark, but it would still represent a significant boost in capability over its fleet of 14 leased Saab Gripen C/D aircraft. Officials said the decision to buy F-35 was based on analysis by the Czech Armed Forces, which stated that “only the most advanced fifth-generation fighters will be able to meet mission requirements in future battlefields,” Cernochová said.
The aircraft was deemed a “cost-effective solution,” as the aircraft is already in service with several European nations, and has been selected by others including neighboring Poland. This, officials said, would “strengthen cooperation, joint training and capability sharing.”
Černochová added that a decision was being taken now as the lease arrangements for the Gripen would end in 2027.
The announcement by Prague comes just two weeks after the Swedish government suggested that the Czech Republic could keep the 14 Gripens for free.
Prague’s choice of F-35 adds to Lockheed Martin's growing tally of orders and selections in Europe over the last 18 months including in Finland, Germany and Switzerland, as well as additional orders from the Netherlands.
The announcement comes as the F-35 takes part in the flying display at Farnborough Airshow as Lockheed executives talk to more potential customers.
Czech defense officials say growing the country’s fighter fleet is necessary as the current quantity of aircraft “no longer meets the current tasking [levels]... Given the worsening security situation, the volume of performed missions will continue to grow.”
