STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC & LUBOMIR SEDLAK / PRAGUE
Up to six contenders remain in the competition, and best offers for the requirement are due in at the end of October
Final bids to meet the Czech Republic's requirement for 14 air defence fighters are due in at the end of October, with a decision expected before the end of the year.
The deal is for an interim solution for aircraft for the next five to 10 years to replace the Czech air force's ageing MiG-21s, with a potential longer term requirement for new aircraft.
As many as six contenders are still in the competition, all thought to be offering used aircraft, although an official from the Swedish procurement organisation FMV left open the possibility of bidding new BAE Systems/Saab Gripens. "Nothing is excluded at this point," he says. The Czech Republic cancelled its order for 24 new Gripens in November 2002.
The US Government has approved a Pentagon offer of a $550 million loan to cover lease or purchase of Lockheed Martin F-16s, either from US Air Force stock or in support of used F-16 offers from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Canada is offering used Boeing F/A-18s, and the UK was to offer the Panavia Tornado F3 but withdrew after it became clear that the aircraft could not cost-effectively meet the potential 10-year in-service requirement. France is understood to be offering Dassault Mirage 2000s.
Industry sources point to possible similarities between the Gripen deal brokered for Hungary and that being offered to the Czech Republic, which would see the aircraft upgraded from their current JAS 39A/Bstandard with improvements that could include the addition of a fuselage plug to accommodate extra fuel, bringing them close to the latest C/D standard.
The aircraft would be leased, although industry sources say a lease/purchase deal - again similar to Hungary's - could be agreed.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JULIAN MOXON
Source: Flight International
