Defense Ministry to continue strategic projects, including purchase of F-35 fighter jets

The Ministry of Defence will continue with strategic  modernization projects, including the acquisition of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD) said at a press conference on Friday. According to Zůna, air defence and the military’s role in new operational domains will now be top priorities. His first foreign trip as minister will be to Slovakia, following Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s (ANO) visit there in January. A visit to Ukraine is also planned, Zůna told reporters.

Zůna praised the outcome of negotiations conducted by Prime Minister Babiš in Brussels, describing them as the “cleanest possible path” in terms of implementation and the most acceptable option from the perspective of Czech national interests. Support for Ukraine will continue, with the Czech Republic standing on Kyiv’s side and Russia identified as the aggressor, Zůna said.  At the same time, he stressed the need to seek optimal forms of assistance for the country under attack.

The Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD), which nominated Zůna to the cabinet formed by ANO, SPD and the Motorists, advocates ending financial aid to Ukraine as well as the Czech ammunition initiative.