PRAGUE - The state-owned LOM Praha will be involved in the acquisition of 24 fifth-generation American F-35 aircraft for the Czech army. The cooperation agreement signed today with fighter aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin has a financial potential of more than CZK 1 billion, according to LOM Praha director Jiri Protiva. It will mainly concern the modernisation of the Air Training Centre in Pardubice.
The acquisition of 24 F-35A Lightning II aircraft was approved by the government in late September last year and confirmed in January with the signing of a memorandum. Lockheed Martin will pay CZK 150 billion for the fighter jets, making it the Czech military's most expensive purchase. The purchase also includes agreed industrial cooperation, with 11 projects with Lockheed Martin and three with Pratt & Whitney, according to the defence ministry. "Thirteen Czech companies and universities will participate in these projects. They will be involved in four areas: component production, research and development, pilot training and maintenance, and F-35 service and repair," the ministry said today. The total value of the cooperation projects will exceed CZK 15 billion.
CTK/gnews.cz-RoZ_07
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