By Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz 21-07-2022 [Shutterstock/BlueBarronPhoto] Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: PolskiPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram In what would represent the largest military purchase in Czech history, the government has announced plans to almost double the country’s fighter jet fleet by purchasing American-made aircraft. However, the move upset Prague’s Swedish partners, who are behind the technologies used by Czechia currently, as well as the opposition, which laments increased costs. “Negotiations will be initiated with US partners to procure fifth-generation F-35 supersonic multi-role aircraft. We will also negotiate with Sweden to acquire new infantry fighting vehicles,” Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. The government wants to buy 24 F-35 fighter jets. Currently, the Czech army has only 14 Gripen jets, however, those fighters are not owned by the state and are rented from Sweden. The rental contract should terminate by 2027 with the possibility of a two year extension. As Hospodářské noviny reported, the planned acquisition is the largest military purchase in Czech history. The reason for the purchase is Russia’s aggression and the “arms race” in Europe, which, together with inflation, is driving up the prices of the new military equipment. Czechia can expect the first deliveries in 2027 at the earliest. Depending on the equipment, one F-35 fighter jet costs around $70 million. “We are strengthening our defence capability for the following decades and fulfilling our NATO membership commitments. As the country faces new security challenges, we have decided to modernise Czech Army,” added Fiala. The Czech Defence Ministry will launch negotiations with Sweden and the US soon. Opposition parties criticise the government because of the higher price of the F-35 jets. Moreover, the country would have to invest in the new infrastructure, as the current one is adapted to Swedish technologies. Swedish jets manufacturer Saab also expressed disappointment. “We would expect that as a long-term partner of the Czech Republic, with whom we are working closely on the successful Gripen programme, Sweden will also be given the opportunity to present its current and future Gripen capabilities and that the Swedish government will have a transparent opportunity to present its offer,” Saab CEO Micael Johansson said. Czechia is currently steered by a five-party governing coalition, where the Pirates (Greens/EFA affiliated) are the only liberal-progressive political force, with the other four parties representing the centre-right side of the political spectrum. The coalition is headed by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), part of the eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) political family and a proponent of strong transatlantic ties. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters