New Czech Gripen Talks

摘要

Vlastmil Piczek, the Czech Republic's new defence minister, honoured a promise to conduct talks about the future of the lease of Saab JAS39C/D Gripen fighters soon after he was installed in his post on March 19. During his first week in the role he discussed the lease with his Swedish counterpart, Fredrik Reinfeldt. The talks are part of the Republic's ongoing investigations to find a solution to its future air policing requirements. Several options have been examined, including the purchase or lease of fighters alone or in conjunction with another country, or extending the current lease agreement for the Gripens, which is due to expire in 2014.