On 29 January 2024, the Czech Republic signed a monumental agreement with the United States for the acquisition of 24 F-35 fighter jets, marking the largest single military purchase in the country's history. Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová and U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet officially sealed the deal, valued at approximately 150 billion Czech koruna (about $6.6 billion U.S. dollars).
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Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (Picture source: US DoD)
As a reminder, this agreement also includes the purchase of twenty-five Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, one of which is a spare, and a sophisticated arsenal of munitions. Among these, seventy AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), three AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, and eighty-six GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bombs - Increment II (SDB-II) Stormbreaker All-Up-Rounds (AUR) are prominently featured.
The F-35 is equipped with an integrated combat system and stealth capabilities, making it essential for modern military operations. Its powerful engine and advanced avionics deliver exceptional performance in terms of speed, maneuverability, and range. Additionally, its advanced sensor and communication systems facilitate increased interconnectivity with other airborne platforms and command and control systems, enhancing situational awareness and mission coordination.
The main contractors for this major defense transaction are Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Raytheon Missiles and Defense, and The Boeing Company. The possibility of industrial participation will be explored in future negotiations. The implementation of this sale will not require the deployment of additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to the Czech Republic.
