Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš stated that canceling the purchase of American F-35 fighter jets would lead to a loss of approximately 30 billion crowns, reaffirming the new government's commitment to the project despite prior opposition.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš revealed that the potential cancellation of the planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets would incur a significant financial loss estimated at 30 billion crowns. He made this statement during a visit to a hospital in Liberec, emphasizing the necessity of the aircraft for the Czech military’s preparedness and its commitments to NATO. Although there were discussions about reevaluating or even canceling the deal before the elections, the new government intends to proceed with the acquisition.
Babiš also questioned the proposed increase in the defense budget as presented by Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna during a parliamentary committee meeting. He pointed out that while the government would allocate sufficient funds to ensure the military's operational readiness and compliance with NATO obligations, he remained skeptical about the proposed budgetary growth. His comments highlight a tension between ensuring adequate defense capabilities and managing public finances effectively.
Underlining the importance of the F-35 contract, Babiš stressed that it could no longer be rescinded without incurring substantial losses. He highlighted that fulfilling NATO obligations had previously been limited to making advance payments on the F-35s, indicating a broader context of defense strategy in the region. Moving forward with the acquisition is seen as a critical step in solidifying the Czech Republic’s military capabilities and alliance commitments, especially in light of regional security concerns.
