Prague is modernizing its air force with the purchase of 24 F-35As, a major contract that transforms its defense and strategic role within NATO.
The Czech Republic’s strategic purchase of F-35As
The Czech Republic has formalized its decision to acquire 24 Lockheed Martin F-35A multi-role fighter jets. This purchase represents the largest military contract in the country’s modern history. The Czech government, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, considers this acquisition a central pillar of its air force modernization. The F-35A is a fifth-generation, stealth aircraft capable of performing air superiority, ground attack, intelligence, and command missions. This choice places the Czech Republic directly among the European allies that are equipping themselves with the most advanced aeronautical technology.
The timeframe and financial framework of the agreement
The project was approved in September 2023 by the Czech government after lengthy strategic and budgetary discussions. On January 29, 2024, a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) was signed with the United States. The total cost of the operation is approximately CZK 150 billion, or more than €6.5 billion. This budget covers the purchase of aircraft, training for pilots and technicians, the acquisition of suitable ammunition, the installation of flight simulators, and the modernization of the Čáslav air base, which will become the operational hub of this fleet. It is therefore a comprehensive program that goes far beyond the simple delivery of fighter aircraft.
A deployment schedule has been established
The first F-35As are expected to be delivered to the Czech Republic in 2031. The ramp-up will be gradual, with the goal of having a fully operational fleet in 2035. To ensure continuity of air defense, the current lease agreement for 14 JAS-39 Gripen aircraft from Sweden has been extended until 2035. This measure ensures an orderly transition from the fourth-generation Gripen to the fifth-generation F-35A. The Czech authorities have emphasized the need to maintain seamless operational capability throughout the transition period.
A decisive upgrade for the Czech Air Force
The transition from Gripen to F-35A represents a qualitative leap. Although Gripen aircraft perform well for regional needs, they do not have the stealth capabilities or level of operational integration offered by the F-35A. With this new aircraft, the Czech Republic gains full interoperability with the main NATO air forces. The F-35A is equipped with advanced sensors, state-of-the-art avionics, and unique data fusion capabilities, enabling effective coordination of actions in a multi-domain environment. For Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Karel Řehka, this acquisition ensures that the Czech Air Force will be able to operate in high-intensity conditions alongside its allies.
Direct effects on European defense posture
The Czech Republic thus joins the growing list of European countries that have chosen the F-35, including Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Finland, and Germany. This technological convergence strengthens NATO cohesion in Europe and facilitates the pooling of resources during multinational operations. By acquiring the F-35A, Prague is contributing to a more credible collective deterrent against contemporary threats. The agreement also includes industrial benefits for the Czech economy, with planned cooperation in maintenance and the supply chain, valued at several hundred million euros. These benefits will enable the national industry to benefit from skills transfers and integrate into the program’s global production chain.
Impact on resources and the structure of the armed forces
The investment is not limited to the purchase of aircraft. An additional budget of nearly CZK 44 billion, or approximately €1.8 billion, is earmarked for infrastructure and operational preparation until 2034. This includes renovating runways, building hangars adapted to the technical requirements of the F-35, and setting up training centers. This financial effort is part of a broader transformation of the Czech armed forces, which began after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In addition to the F-35s, the Czech Republic has also launched programs to acquire CV90 armored vehicles and modernize its helicopter fleet. The overall aim is to strengthen the country’s military credibility and its ability to fulfill its NATO commitments.
A key step forward for the future Czech Air Force
By 2035, the Czech Republic will have a fleet of 24 F-35As capable of performing a wide range of missions: air superiority, precision strike, reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses, and support for ground forces. This acquisition puts Prague in a position to act not only defensively, but also to actively contribute to high-intensity multinational operations. The F-35A is also a deterrent, as its stealth capabilities and sensors significantly reduce an adversary’s potential freedom of action.
Medium- and long-term prospects
The arrival of the F-35As marks a strategic turning point for the Czech Republic. This choice confirms the political will to invest in long-term national security and strengthen the country’s role within NATO. Beyond the purely military aspects, this acquisition places the Czech Republic in a dynamic of transatlantic industrial and technological cooperation. It will benefit from the economic spin-offs of the global F-35 program and will actively participate in the development of common standards for future operations. In an international context marked by instability and strategic competition, this decision gives Prague enhanced credibility and paves the way for even closer integration into collective defense structures.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.