LUBOMIR SEDLAK / PRAGUE AND CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / PARIS
Decision to lease means country's ageing Russian MiG-21 fighters can be replaced
A Czech government commission has decided unanimously that Sweden's offer to lease 14 Saab/BAE Systems Gripens to the Czech air force provides the best interim solution to the country's urgent need to replace its Russian MiG-21 fighters.
The Czech ministry of defence says Belgium's proposal of Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BMs with mid-life updates was runner-up in the contest, followed by Canada, offering Boeing F-18A/B Hornets, the Netherlands with F-16AM/BMs and the USA with Block 15 F-16s with new Pratt & Whitney engines.
The recommendation is not binding on the government, which must take a final decision before year-end if the aircraft are to be delivered in time to replace the MiG-21s, to be withdrawn from service in 2005. The Czech government had already signed a contract to buy 24 Gripen fighters when the worst flooding in 500 years forced the cancellation in September 2002 for budgetary reasons (Flight International, 17-23 September 2002).
The leased Gripens would be new aircraft being built for Sweden, which procurement agency FMV says it can manage without in the near term. The cost to the Czech Republic is reported to be CKr20 billion ($737 million), 10% below the maximum set by the defence ministry. Sweden had reportedly offered to invest CKr30 billion in offsets, against the US proposal of 100%.
Source: Flight International
