The Czech government has approved the procurement of 24 F-35 fighter jets, a move announced by Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
This acquisition aims to enhance the Czech military’s capacities and foster seamless coordination with NATO partners.
According to the Prime Minister, the first batch of these jets will be operational by 2029, with the complete order fulfilled by 2035. “It is an effective solution,” commented Fiala. “[The jet] is a system that has a longer perspective than other types of aircraft.”
Laying out the financial aspects, Defence Minister Jana Cernochova disclosed that the entire project will cost the state a hefty sum of 150 billion crowns ($6.47 billion) by 2034.
This figure encompasses the costs associated with base enhancements in the Czech Republic, which is marked at 44 billion, in addition to expenses related to fuel, personnel training, and taxes.
It’s worth noting that earlier this year, the U.S. State Department sanctioned the sale of the F-35 jets, along with munitions and ancillary equipment, to the Czech Republic. This acquisition is slated to supersede the current fleet of leased Gripen fighters from Sweden’s Saab AB (SAABb.ST).
More work for UK industry 👍🇬🇧
That’s good news bringing more highly advanced 5th generation stealth fighters to Eastern Europe. These aircraft are just what the eastern European nations need facing off against Russia.
I do think if Tempest programme can be pushed forward to fruition the UK and partner nations will see large international orders coming in. Its an ideal opportunity to offering something that is different and arguably superior to F35.
The big unknown is how much Tempest is going to cost.
And what it even is. BAE won’t even identify the program objectives in official communications.
Isnt that up to the RAF and MoD/Government to say ?
The awesome F35 project going from strength to strength!!
Stumbles along like it has for the last 10 years .
Anyone else would be cancelled by now- the development halted at whatever the current stage is. I dont think even Lockheed is really sure what this months output build level is ….as its always late and over budget
Tempest and Mojave Drones sound more plausible to me given the constant F-35B maintenance cost increases, engine upgrade requirements and software delays. The final production run for the F-35 is scheduled for 2035, it still hasn’t reached clearance for full-rate production yet, delayed yet again until next year with no sign of Meteor/Spear 3 IOC until 2030 at best. The US has agreed to upgrade their F-16s rather than replace them with the F-35 as was originally planned, while Australia is rethinking any further tranches in favour of a 6th-generation fighter instead. Other NATO members are purchasing them in small… Read more »
Great information.
However I would not agree on some points .
Australia has reached or is close to having its full requirement of F-35. I dont see them being interested in more or even another plane for a decade or more.
Any new fighters coming out of US or Europe will be ‘higher end twin engines’, so they might be much more expensive than a 2035 priced F-35. Like the F16 the F35 will continue in production for some time
There is an interesting article on the subject which you can read here.
July 26, 2023Australia Starts Looking Beyond The F-35 For Next-Gen Fighter Needs
“Australia has started looking for options beyond the Lockheed Martin F-35A for its future fighter fleet, as interest in the next generation of air combat technology increasingly encroaches on funding available for existing aircraft.”
The item also mentions the F18s are getting the 10,000 hr life extension upgrades , suggesting any replacement is far more than 10 years away. ( Older F18s they had for 30 years)
I would think the F18 replacement ‘thinking’ is about planes that dont exist yet. Not so much a F35 rethink
“I would think the F18 replacement ‘thinking’ is about planes that dont exist yet.” I’m not so sure! August 14, 2023 The global development of sixth-generation fightersThe US appears to be the furthest ahead at this stage when compared to its global rivals. “With technology constantly evolving aerial warfare, sixth-generation fighter jets are on the horizon. There is a race between many programmes to develop these aircraft. One of these is the Next Generation of Air Dominance (NGAD) programme, despite encompassing all aspects of future aerial combat, NGAD is often used to refer to the sixth-generation manned jet at the… Read more »
Ah the prototype. Seems like too many people who arent test pilots have claimed have flown it. That can be explained as ‘flying a simulator’ and words that mislead “The importance, Roper said, is that just a year after the service completed an analysis of alternatives, the Air Force has proven it can use cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques to build and test a virtual version of its next fighter — and then move to constructing a full-scale prototype and flying it with mission systems onboard. Im saying all that is impossible in the time frame ! Cutting edge … build… Read more »
How do you know? Can you provide me with a link to evidence that and yes, I read it in full! “We’ve already built and flown a full-scale flight demonstrator in the real world, and we broke records in doing it,” Will Roper told Defense News in an exclusive interview” The importance, Roper said, is that just a year after the service completed an analysis of alternatives, the Air Force has proven it can use cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques to build and test a virtual version of its next fighter — and then move to constructing a full-scale prototype and… Read more »
Theres only one source for the ‘built, flown’ story a politician ! All other news is just a rehash of his claims
More savy news sites have suggested its a tech demonstrator not an actual version of the planned plane
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36431/the-u-s-air-force-has-flown-a-demonstrator-for-its-next-generation-fighter
They still start from Ropers claim.
Im very sceptical its even a flying demonstrator other than in the simulator
Well of course it [6 gen] will be a decade plus away….it’s a nextgen project!
Incredible how the Czech economy can afford this with a GDP of $330bn, but ROI with a GDP of $570bn, cannot afford to operate a single squadron of F16’s to protect their airspace from cold war era bombers armed with nuclear bombs that regularly fly into their airspace.
Ireland could easily afford F16s, but the government have zero political will to do so. If you think the UK is generous with benefits, have a look at Ireland.
They charge for doctor and hospital appointments, it’s about EUR 100 a time. Many still travel to the north for NHS.
Nobody in the Republic travels to the North for the NHS. If you are on benefits in the Republic you get free heathcare. Heathcare in the Republic is pretty poor, but the North’s NHS is a shambles and its 60 euro to see a GP not 100.
Why would you buy F-16’s when you can lean on your neighbor to police the airspace for free?
Maybe Ireland can pick up the Saab Lease from the Czechs.