Czech Army To Renew Gripen Lease Until 2027

The Czech government on Wednesday announced it will renewed its lease on 14 Swedish fighter jets until 2027.

Since 2005, the Czech army has been using the Gripen one- and two-seaters under a 10-year contract worth around $1 billion.

“From now on Prague will pay an annual 1.7 billion koruna,” Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky was quoted as saying by AFP.

He added that the aircraft would be upgraded under the contract. Sweden would also train 25 Czech pilots and 90 technicians.

A total of 166 Gripen fighters are used around the world, including 100 in Sweden, according to data from Swedish manufacturer Saab.