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| The F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet |
Prague - The Czech government has decided to start negotiations with the United States (US) to purchase 24 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for the country's Air Force. The aircraft will replace the 14 Saab JAS 39 Gripens currently operated by the Czech military.
This makes the Czechs the second Eastern European ally after Poland to order Lockheed Martin fighter planes.
Quoted from Defense News, Czech Defense Minister Jana Ernochová said “I was authorized to form an inter-ministerial negotiating team and start negotiations with the United States government for the procurement of 24 F-35 Lightning II multirole fighters to equip two squadrons. Prague will continue to lease Gripen C/D jets until the end of 2027 when the contract expires.
Jana ernochová added “Our decision to choose this option was based on an analysis by the Czech Armed Forces, which clearly articulated that only the most advanced 5th generation fighter aircraft could meet the mission requirements on the future battlefield.
The value of the potential deal was not disclosed by the Czech ministry. In January 2020, Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak signed a contract worth approximately $4.6 billion under which the Polish Air Force will acquire 32 F-35A Lightning II jets along with a training and logistics package.
Warsaw aims to replace the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-22 and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters with fifth-generation jets. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2024.
Quoted from Lockheed Martin, the F-35 strengthens national security, enhances global partnerships and drives economic growth. As the world's most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet, the F-35 gives pilots an important advantage against any adversary, enabling them to carry out their missions and return home safely.
The F-35 brings a decisive advantage to the combat space, providing an asymmetrical advantage across the multi-domain spectrum. The F-35's transformational capabilities allow pilots to operate in any environment, against any threat.
Simply put, it is the world's most advanced multi-role fighter, providing unmatched lethality, survivability and connectivity.
The F-35 serves as the backbone of allied air power for 13 countries and counting. Playing an important role in joint domain operations, fighters bring unprecedented situational awareness, information sharing and connectivity to the coalition.
Quoted from Military Today, the F-35, also known as the Lightning II, is a new multi-role fighter. One of its variants, the F-35B achieved initial operational capability with the US Marine Corps in 2015.
The F-35 was developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program, which is intended to replace existing aircraft types with regular fighters. In the near future the F-35 will replace the AV-8B, A-10, F-16 and F/A-18 fighters in service with the US military. Also exported to a number of countries.
The F-35 has a similar configuration to Lockheed Martin's F-22 design, but is slightly smaller and has one engine instead of two. It exploits stealth technology, which reduces the radar cross-section and makes it more difficult to detect.
This multi-role fighter can perform air defense, close air support and tactical bombing missions. It is compatible with the latest air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The aircraft is proposed in three main variants, including the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft, and the F-35C carrier-based aircraft.
These variants share a number of parts to keep development, production and service costs low. This aircraft uses the most powerful combat engine ever developed. An Israeli version of the F-35, the F-35I, was used against targets in Syria.
These stealth fighters strike targets close to Russian military bases in Syria. Furthermore, Russia's most capable air defense systems, including the S-300 and S-400, cannot destroy the Israeli F-35.