Czech Republic To Operate 14 Gripen Aircraft Until 2027

Saab today announced it has signed a new Gripen lease agreement with the Czech Republic which will continue to operate 14 Gripen C/D another 12 years, until at least 2027.

The partnership is a contract between two governments, where Saab acts as a sub-contractor to FMV, who provides the aircraft. No order is placed on Saab yet, the company said in a statement.

“With this agreement, the Czech Republic is taking a long-term strategic decision to continue operating Gripen and ensuring the continued development of its national capability. This is further proof of the confidence in Gripen, and its defence capacity,” says Lennart Sindahl, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Saab's business area Aeronautics.

Gripen has been in service with the Czech Air Force since 2005, with the current lease expiring 2015. The new agreement extends the partnership between Sweden and the Czech Republic for a further 12 years and the Czech Republic will continue to operate 14 Gripen C/D until at least 2027.