The Czech Republic decided last week not to buy 24 Saab/BAE System Gripen fighters because of the cost of cleaning up after the recent floods in the country. Instead of spending CKr60 billion ($1.96 billion) on the Gripens, the ministry of defence is to approach France, Germany, Sweden, the UK and the USA to buy or lease used aircraft, probably Lockheed Martin F-16s from Belgium or the USA, or an older type of Gripen from the Swedish army. The best option, says former Czech air force commander Ladislav Kl¡ma is to buy older F-16s.
Source: Flight International
