The Czech Republic is to make swingeing cuts to its air force, with personnel numbers to be slashed from 13,000 to 8,000. The other armed forces will also be affected, with army numbers to be cut over the next four years from 63,200 to 34,000-36,000.
Air force commander Gen Jan Vachek says he aims to "keep most qualified people in the service". Headquarters staff will be reduced by 120 and moved from Stara Boleslav to Caslav as a cost-saving measure.
Vachek says decisions about the air force's future shape have also been made based on the intended purchase of 12-24 multirole fighters, which are due to enter service in 2005, replacing MikoyanMiG-21s, and Antonov An-70 transports. Also on the shopping list are an additional six Mil Mi-24VHind attack helicopters and tactical radars to cover a surveillance gap in NATO's eastern flank. The air force continues to plan for a Mi-24 upgrade and deliveries of two-seat Aero VodochodyL-159 advanced trainers. The L-159s delivered to date are single-seat attack aircraft.
A single L-159A unit and those equipped with the new fighters will be declared to NATO, while remaining squadrons will form an operational reserve.
One combat uniteach will be based at Caslav and Namesti with the new fighters and L-159As respectively. The Czech air force's single L-159Aflight is currently based at Caslav to keep the major fighter base operational until the new aircraft enter service.
Significant investment is expected at both bases to convert them to full NATO standards, and some money is expected to be provided from outside the Czech Republic.
Other bases such as Prague-Kbelyand Presov will have a supporting role, housing fixed- and rotary-wing transports, as well as training units.
Source: Flight International
