The Czech Republic's planned purchase of 24 Saab/BAE Systems Gripen JAS39 multirole fighters failed to proceed to the final parliamentary reading by one vote last week. The bill will now be referred to parliamentary committees before being re-presented for a vote in two weeks at the earliest. Czech prime minister Milos Zeman warns that if the Gripen contract is not concluded by the end of May, the aircraft's cost would rise, as neighbouring Poland would instead benefit from an introductory price.
Source: Flight International
