Czech government approves talks to obtain tactical transport planes

Talks with European aircraft manufacturer EADS over swapping Czech-made light combat aircraft for mid-range tactical transport planes have been cleared by the Czech government, the Czech ministry of defence said on Monday. The deal, if it goes ahead, would see the Czech Republic acquiring one new transporter plane in return for five light combat aircraft that it no longer needs. Talks to work out the details of the deal should take place over the next few months. The first transport aircraft could be delivered within a year. It is thought that Prague has already entered into talks with Washington over the acquisition of US Hercules cargo planes.