The Czech Army’s acquisition of American fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets is inappropriate, stated Tomio Okamura, leader of the SPD/Freedom and Direct Democracy party and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament.
“These fighter jets are inappropriate and intolerable. Minister Zuna (Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna) shares this opinion,” he stated.
Okamura also emphasized the need to analyze the terms of the relevant contract to determine whether terminating it would be more costly than continuing the project. He stated that the final decision will be made by the Cabinet of Ministers.
As a reminder, on January 29, 2024, then-Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová and US Ambassador to the Czech Republic Bidjan Sabet signed a contract for the purchase of 24 F-35 fighter jets for the Czech Air Force. Prague is expected to pay over $6.5 billion for them, making them the most expensive purchase the Czech Army has ever made. The first fighter jets are expected to arrive in the Czech Republic in 2031, with delivery to be completed by 2035. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš previously stated that the contract, approved by the previous government, was at a stage where it needed to be finalized. Part of the advance payment has already been made and is non-refundable.
