Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
The Czech Republic is expected to issue its long-awaited request for information (RFI) covering the acquisition of Western fighters by 1 April, according to sources close to the Czech Government.
The RFI will call for proposals based on the purchase or lease of 36 aircraft required by 2003, say the sources. The request will be sent to the US Government on behalf of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and to British Aerospace/Saab and Dassault. The selection of a new fighter is due before the year-end.
The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary became members of NATO on 12 March. All three have been debating for years how to upgrade their air forces while under severe budget constraints. None has committed to a deal so far, although Poland is expected to make its selection by mid-year.
Poland has contracted DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) to upgrade its 22 MiG-29s as an interim measure, and Hungary is expected to do the same for its 27 aircraft (Flight International, 17-23 February). The Czech Republic is to begin receiving 72 indigenous Aero Vodochody L-159 light combat aircraft from next year.
Boeing is offering its F/A-18. It owns 35% of Aero Vodochody placing it well for any deal requiring a high degree of industrial offset. Lockheed Martin will push the F-16, while Dassault is offering the Mirage 2000-5 and BAe/Saab the JAS39 Gripen.
The Czech Government has made overtures to Poland about the possibility of bilateral defence co-operation. It is unclear whether this would affect either country's fighter selection.
Source: Flight International
