Prices expected to be lower for F-35 jets from US to Czech Republic
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The first F-35 fighters intended for the Czech Republic are anticipated to be manufactured in 2029, while training of flight and ground personnel is due to begin afterward.
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A US Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft over Poland, February 24, 2022 (US Air Force via AP)
Czech Defense Ministry senior official Gen. Jaroslav Mika stated that if the Czech Republic signs a contract to purchase 24 fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the US, prices will be lower than expected, the Czech online magazine Novinky reported.
Mika said: “Today I can say that the price [for fighter jets] will be much lower, we will present this price to the government. We will target [the price reduction] by about 10 percent,” adding that it is impossible to state the exact price since talks regarding contract details are still underway.
The first F-35 fighters intended for the Czech Republic are anticipated to be manufactured in 2029, while training of flight and ground personnel is due to begin afterward.
Then all aircraft should be in the Czech Republic in 2031 alongside air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The F-35's service life is supposed to last until 2070.
Initially, the price was expected to be 122 billion korunas (about $5.5 billion), which is to include training of the first crews and ground technical personnel, support during the first year, and spare parts.
Read more: 'Israel' officially requests 25 more F-35s from US
As of now, the Czech Air Force has 14 Jas 39 Gripen fighters leased from Sweden, as well as locally produced L-159 light multirole attack aircraft.
Plenty for everyone
Lockheed Martin, having been awarded a $7.8 billion contract modification for 126 F-35 multi-role aircraft earlier this year by the US Department of Defense, would make it seem as though there is plenty for everyone.
Back in July, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed that the US will provide Greece with "significant military equipment" for free.
During an interview with Greek broadcaster Skai, the PM said: "I mean not only the approval of [the delivery of] F-35 [fighter jets], which is very important, but also the possibility of getting surplus [military] equipment, significant surplus equipment that will be given to us for free. That is what the US is doing and has every reason to do it to a greater extent for a good ally like Greece."
