Czech Republic to Purchase 24 F-35 Fighter Jets from the USA

The contract for the purchase of fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jets by the Czech Republic from the USA is set to be signed by the end of March, as announced on Sunday by the Minister of Defense of the Republic, Jana Černochová, during a broadcast on CNN Prima NEWS.

"This will definitely be signed by the end of March, even earlier. We are currently looking for the appropriate form and suitable date," said Černochová.

According to CNN Prima NEWS, 105.8 billion koruna (approximately 4.6 billion dollars) will be paid to the U.S. government for the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jets and associated services. Additional costs, including the construction of a new airport, will amount to 43.8 billion koruna (approximately 1.9 billion dollars).

The total costs for the Czech Republic’s purchase and usage of these aircraft until 2069 will reach 322 billion koruna (approximately 14.1 billion dollars). The cost of one hour of flight for the fighter jet will exceed 800 thousand koruna (approximately 35 thousand dollars).

The Czech government approved the purchase of 24 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the USA in September 2023.