Under a memorandum of understanding, Northrop will explore options to develop an autonomous boom refueling system for Embraer’s KC-390, hoping to attract US and international customers.
The new offer, valued at 16.65 billion CZK ($732 million), will enable Prague to continue to operate 12 Gripen aircraft out to 2035 — two less than its existing fleet of 14 units — split between 10 single seat and two, two-seat platforms.
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"In a small military with limited resources and a lot of tasks, we have to prioritize. I think we need to look for sustainable solutions as cost effective solutions," said Lt. Gen. Karel Rehka, chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces.
“The fire power of the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 is augmented by a guided missile system with which targets beyond line of sight can also be engaged while on the move," said KNDS.
Dutch State Secretary of Defence Christophe Van der Maat said that an original 2026 delivery timeline “turned out not to be feasible due to cooperation with Austria and negotiations with the manufacturer.”
“The purpose of our initiative is to find ammunition on the world markets, to negotiate the financing and to potentially negotiate deliveries to Ukraine,” said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
Answering the Pentagon’s call to bolster defense industrial base.
Hungary was the third country, behind Sweden and Czech Republic to operate the Gripen C/D planes, initially acquired under a lease agreement for 12 single seaters (Gripen C) and a pair of two seaters (Gripen D).
The Czech government suggested the timing and location of the signing in Prague was affected by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent health issues.
"A specific step was to start negotiations with the aim of achieving the lowest possible price and at the same time the shortest possible delivery date,” said Jana Cernochova, Czech Republic’s minister of defense.
The $5 billion deal would see Prague get all 24 F-35As by 2035, while seeking to extend a lease of older Saab Gripen jets thorough that date.
"Ukraine needs to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it needs to feel motivated that one day it will be welcomed into our [NATO] family," said Czech Republic President Petr Pavel.
Beyond the fighters themselves, the potential deal includes a host of missiles, bombs, electronic warfare and radio capabilities, as well as "classified software" and software development.
The Czech Republic recently announced the finalization of a plan to buy 246 MkIV CV90s, while separately sources told Breaking Defense that other CV90s are on their way to the front lines in Ukraine.
Major General Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Republic Army, said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has showed the criticality of urgent modernization, starting with five key priorities.