PRAGUE — The Czech Republic’s authorities on Wednesday authorized a Defense Ministry plan to accumulate two dozen U.S. F-35 fighter jets in a deal value round $6.5 billion.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that the F-35s “will solve the future of our tactical air forces for dozens of years to come.”

Fiala stated the acquisition for the Czech army sends “a message to our allies that we take the defense of our country seriously and that they can rely on us.”

The first of the 24 fighter jets ought to be delivered in 2031, with the remaining by 2035, Fiala stated. The American plane will exchange the 14 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden which might be presently utilized by the Czech military.

The Czechs can pay virtually $5 billion to the U.S. for the plane, coaching of pilots, ammunition and different prices, Defense Minister Jana Cernochova stated. The remaining cash can be used to finance an improve of the Caslav air pressure base in central Czech Republic, gas and coaching of workers, Cernochova stated.

The chief of the final workers, Lt. Gen. Karel Rehka, stated that the brand new jets would guarantee “that in the case of need, we’ll manage to effectively defend ourselves against aggression, together with our allies.”

The ministry has been negotiating a take care of the U.S. for a couple of yr amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Wednesday’s announcement got here after the federal government determined in May to accumulate 246 CV90 armored fight autos from Sweden as a part of a serious modernization of the army amid Russia’s warfare.

Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com