Czech Republic to lease Gripens until 2035

The Czech Republic will lease 12 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden until 2035, bridging the period before the arrival of 24 American F-35 aircraft. The Ministry of Defence on Monday signed an extension of the current lease beyond 2027.

According to the ministry, the contract, worth 16.695 billion crowns including VAT, covers not only the lease itself but also servicing and pilot training. An additional four billion crowns, including VAT, will be invested in modernizing the Gripens during the lease extension.

Officials say the arrangement guarantees continuity for the Czech Air Force until the new generation of U.S. stealth fighters becomes operational.