The first Gripen aircraft for the Czech Republic flew on 18th October 2004 at Saab in Linköping. It was also the first aircraft destined for export. The aircraft was painted in the Czech national markings.
History and background
At a ceremony in Prague on the 14th June 2004 FMV signed a contract with its counterpart in the Czech Ministry of Defence as representative of the Swedish state. The contract meant that for 10 years the Czech Republic would lease 14 Gripen aircraft, 12 single seat and 2 two-seater aircraft, of the latest version of JAS 39 C/D.
The signing of the contract was the culmination of intensive efforts, which began during the summer of 2003. Then Sweden and a number of other countries received a request from the Czech government about whether we were interested in tendering for a short-term, 5-10 year, solution to their air defence. On the Swedish side FMV were charged with setting up a project group, which could work out a Swedish tender. Following negotiations with the Armed Forces, with regard to training of technical personnel, and Gripen International, regarding the adaptation of the aircraft to Czech requirements, FMV delivered the Swedish tender on the last day of October. In November, the Czech side went through the tenders from Sweden, USA, The Netherlands, Belgium and Canada.
At the beginning of December, the evaluation committee delivered its proposal to the Czech government recommending Gripen. On 17th December the Czech government decided to begin negotiations with Sweden. The negotiations proceeded during autumn 2004 between FMV and the Czech Ministry of Defence. That means that Czech Gripen aircraft would be operational in the Czech Republic less than one year following the signing of the contract. A very difficult, but at the same time, stimulating assignment for everyone involved on the Swedish and Czech sides.
Description
The Gripen aircraft the Czechs have with designation C and D are from Batch 3, which means that the aircraft are completely NATO interoperable. The aircraft were delivered between April and August 2005. With this leasing contract the Czech Republic becomes the first NATO member operating Gripen, the fourth generation aircraft system, to fulfil both its national and NATO defence requirements.
Even during the leasing period Sweden will also provide essential maintenance equipment, simulators, spare parts, technical and tactical support systems and comprehensive integrated logistical support. The integrated logistical support consists in part of transportation of materials between Sweden and the Czech Republic, publications and technical support during the whole leasing period. This is in accordance with the same model used for the Swedish Air Force.
Commercial confidentiality applies to the financial conditions and the technical details. FMV has, according to its instructions from the government, guaranteed that all costs, which arise as a result of transactions, will be taken care of within the terms of the contract. The total value of the contract is 19,650 million CZK (approx. 5.7 billion SEK).