The army requires vehicles in seven modifications.
Most will serve as infantry fighting vehicles to carry 11 soldiers, have a manned turret and a 30-millimeter cannon. Others will be in command, reconnaissance, engineer, recovery, medical and artillery observation versions.
Swedish armour manufacturer pleased with government decision
BAE Systems, the Swedish manufacturer of the CV90 armoured vehicle, was pleased with the Czech government’s decision to enter into direct negotiations with Sweden on the purchase of infantry fighting vehicles for the Czech army.
The company believes that the CV90 is the best choice for the Czech Republic, its media representative Zdeněk Soudný told ČTK.
The German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme is surprised by the decision.
The Spanish manufacturer GDELS wants to analyse the situation before making another decision.
“BAE Systems is ready to support the governments of the Czech Republic and Sweden in their discussions in order to ensure the successful implementation of the project,” the company said in a statement provided to CTK by its media representative Soudný.
According to the company, mutual cooperation would also bring benefits for the Czech defence industry.
“BAE Systems has invested considerable effort in building relationships with Czech industrial partners and many are already part of our supply chain.
We now have the opportunity to further expand these relationships,” the company said.
Rheinmetall told CTK that it was surprised by the ministry’s decision.
“We remain convinced that the Lynx KF41 is the best choice for the Army of the Czech Republic in all criteria.
At every appropriate opportunity, we will emphasize its qualities,” Kateřina Fričová from BEST Communications quoted the company’s media representative in the Czech Republic as saying.
GDELS took note of today’s statement by Minister of Defence Jana Černochová (ODS).
“Before deciding on the next steps, GDELS will analyze the situation, examine the options and monitor further developments,” its representative Marc-Aurel Bischoff told ctk.
He added that the company’s position has not changed and that it is available to the Czech Ministry of Defence to discuss a joint programme based on the proposal submitted by GDELS.
“We remain convinced that our approach brings significantly greater benefits to the Czech Republic in terms of price, economic and industrial benefits and fast vehicle delivery,” he said.
The company recently sent a letter to members of the House Defense Committee. In it, it announced that it was proposing an intergovernmental dodod as a way forward.
According to CTK information, the Spanish manufacturer promises in the letter, for example, that it is ready for a complete transfer of technology to the Czech Republic and for the production of the chassis and tower of the machine on Czech territory.
However, it does not want to cooperate with the state enterprise VOP CZ, but with the Czechoslovak Group holding. The company has already agreed with him in the past in the production of Pandurs.
GDELS is ready to honour the previously promised contract price if the ministry “accepts the recommended cost reduction initiatives”.
Czech gripens will patrol the skies in the Baltics for two months longer
Czech gripens will patrol the baltic airspace for two months longer until the end of September. The reason for this is lithuania’s request.
The government was informed about this today by Minister of Defence Jana Černochová (ODS).
Jiří Táborský from the press department of the Ministry of Defence told the Czech News Agency. Czech fighters were supposed to end up in Lithuania at the end of July.
As Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia do not have their own fighter aircraft, airspace protection is ensured by NATO member countries.
“Since August, however, there has been no one to replace the Czech Republic, so the Lithuanian Minister of Defense asked whether it would be possible to extend the operation of the Czech army by two months, until the end of September 2022,” Táborský said.
From October, Denmark will take over the supervision of Baltic airspace.
“Continuing to carry out this task confirms that the Czech Republic is one of the reliable partners in NATO, which is doubly important at the time of Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Černochová said.
According to Táborský, the extension does not have to be approved by the government and Parliament, it can be carried out on the basis of a previously approved mandate. It is valid from the beginning of April to the end of September.
According to the ministry, the minister’s decision is sufficient. It informed the government and parliamentary committees of its intention.
Táborský added that the increased costs of about 14 million crowns will be paid “to the maximum extent possible” by Lithuania.
