A former Eastern Bloc ally, the Czech Republic has confirmed a deal with the United States to buy 24 F-35 jets at a cost of more than £5billion, which could be seen as a Paradigm shift under current circumstances.
Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova and US Ambassador Bijan Sabet put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding which marks the Czech military’s biggest-ever purchase.
The Czech Republic government signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) today making official its intent to procure 24 Lockheed Martin 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Through the U.S. government Foreign Military Sale, the Czech Air Force will receive its first aircraft in 2031, which will be in the latest advanced Block 4 configuration.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office, said ,
“We are pleased the government of Czech Republic is now officially a part of the F-35 Lightning II program of record,” “This partnership with the Czech Ministry of Defense will deliver and sustain the F-35 aircraft for decades, while providing the Czech Air Force with unmatched interoperability and ensuring it has the capability to counter current and future threats.”
The Czech ministry has been negotiating the deal with the U.S. for more than a year during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The first of the 24 fighter jets should be delivered in 2031, with the rest by 2035. The American aircraft will replace the 14 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, which are currently used by the Czech army.
In addition to the aircraft, the procurement also includes personnel training, service and logistical support, and developing other support services ensuring successful deliveries of all 24 F-35s.
On the deal, which was approved by the Czech government in September 2023 , Defence Minister Ms Cernochova said:
“By signing this intergovernmental agreement, our country and also our army enter a new era.”
The Czechs will pay almost £4billion ($5billion) to the US for the aircraft, training of pilots, ammunition and other costs, Ms Cernochova previously said.
The remaining money will be used to finance an upgrade of the Caslav air force base in central Czech Republic, fuel and training of staff, she said.
Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, said ,
“With the signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance between the Czech Republic and U.S. governments, the Czech Republic becomes the 18th nation to join the global F-35 program. We are honored to partner with the Czech Republic Air Force as its F-35s join other European nations in strengthening and growing interoperability, significantly increasing NATO’s deterrent capability.”
“The F-35 is the best solution for the Czech Republic’s future fighter fleet with 5th Generation capabilities enhancing the nation’s effectiveness in the 21st Century Security battlespace.”
Czech Chief of the general staff Lt Gen Karel Rehka said:
“The F-35 is the only system that can help us succeed in the future’s battlegrounds, and that in the case of need, we’ll manage to effectively defend ourselves against aggression, together with our allies.”
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Lockheed Martin says,
The F-35 is the European aircraft of choice for replacing legacy fighter fleets, offering unmatched interoperability with NATO and other nations to provide a key discriminator for the U.S. and its allies for decades to come.
By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath. It is also the only fighter aircraft in production today that will create jobs for the next 40-50 years and enable strategic industrial partnerships with Czech industry.
Fourteen industrial cooperation projects are part of the purchase, according to the ministry, the contracts were concluded last week. Eleven projects with Lockheed Martin and three projects with Pratt&Whitney are ready. Thirteen Czech companies and universities will take part in them.
Czech companies will be involved in four areas of cooperation, in the production of components, research and development, pilot training and maintenance, service and repair of the F-35.
As per Lockheed Martin, F-35s are now operating from 32 bases worldwide. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 990 F-35s, trained more than 2,280 pilots and 15,400 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed 773,000 cumulative flight hours.
U.S. European Command said ,
"We welcome another Ally to the 5th generation of air superiority! The Czech Republic's procurement of the #F35 is a boon for their long-term security, and their ability to operate alongside like-minded Allies and partners."
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