Czech Transport Plane for NATO

The Czech Republic is doing its part in the war against terrorism, launched in retaliation for the terrorist attacks of September 11th . On Thursday, NATO forces gave the nod to a Czech government offer, allowing the Czech Air Force to supply one of its two TU-154 transport planes for use by NATO forces. The plane is expected to join on-going NATO operations as early as Monday. Jan Velinger has the story.

Normally the TU-154 is a passenger plane used by the air force for transporting government officials throughout the Czech Republic. Its flight paths could be broadened as early as next week, if the plane is called upon to take part in widening NATO operations. While it is not clear just how the plane will be used, it has been reported that the TU-154 will not cross the Atlantic, as previously thought. The plane, which has a twenty man crew, will remain in, and operate throughout, Europe. I spoke to independent commentator Vaclav Zak, who filled me in on the somewhat mysterious TU-154.

This plane is quite a normal plane, used by [former] Soviet airlines and many Eastern European countries. In our republic it was used by the government. And, of course, if you consider the character of the present operation, there is used high tech weapons, there are used, and special troops. And of course the Czech Republic, and many other countries of NATO, do not have any such means at their disposal. So, it is natural that we must help with some other means. We offered some hospitals, some troops for chemical recognition, and this plane. I think, that if it will be accepted, it will be accepted as a symbolic gesture, I would say, that all member countries participate in this operation.

While Mr. Zak sees the offer of the TU-154 as mainly symbolic, the plane will have its practical uses. It has room for up to either 84 passengers or six tons of material, depending on NATO requirements. According to Mr. Zak, the plane should be more than reliable.

I think that it will be produced before 1989, I am almost sure, but you know these planes are in good technical condition because they are used for the government, they are used not very often, the first thing, the second thing is they are under constant surveillance, so they should be in excellent technical condition.

The cost of the TU-154's operations will be covered by NATO, but the cost of the crew will be partially financed by the Czech Defense Ministry. Foreign Minister Jan Kavan has said that believes that the cost will be relatively low, and can by easily covered from the ministry's budget.