WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department approved a possible sale to the Czech Republic of F-35 aircraft, munitions and related equipment value as much as $5.62 billion, in keeping with a June 29 announcement.
The sale, in keeping with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, would come with 24 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
The principal contractors will likely be Lockheed Martin, RTX and Boeing.
“The proposed sale will improve the Czech Republic’s defense capabilities in addition to support NATO operations by guarding against modern threats and maintaining a continuing presence within the region,” the agency said within the statement. It added that the move “won’t alter the fundamental military balance within the region.”
In May, the U.S. signed a security agreement with the Czech Republic, a NATO member that has backed Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
This potential sale comes a 12 months after the Czech Republic announced it would really like to obtain 24 F-35s from the USA.
“Our decision to pick this feature relies on the evaluation by the Czech Armed Forces, which clearly articulates that only probably the most advanced fifth generation fighters will give you the chance to fulfill mission requirements in future battlefields,” Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová said on the time, in keeping with a release.
A U.S. Government Accountability Office report from May found the F-35 program continues to experience schedule delays, cost increases and late deliveries. It advisable Congress consider directing this system manage engine modernization as a separate program.
The potential sale to the Czech Republic would also include 25 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, 70 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, and various other bombs, electronic warfare and radio capabilities, amongst other equipment.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of this possible sale, the discharge said, adding that the actual dollar value may very well be lower “depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.”
If the sale goes through, the Czech Republic will join nine Foreign Military Sales customers to the F-35 program.
Jonathan is a staff author and editor of the Early Bird Transient newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media