US State Department approval has been granted for the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 24 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters, related equipment, munitions and training/logistical support services to the Czech Republic for an estimated cost of $5.62bn.
Confirmation that the State Department had approved this prospective FMS was announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on June 29, after it had notified the US Congress of the possible sale that same day. As part of this deal, the Czech Republic has requested to buy 24 conventional take-off and landing (CTOL)-configured F-35As, along with 25 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 afterburning turbofan engines.
In addition to the fighter and its related systems, the Czech Republic has requested to buy a variety of munitions, which would be used to equip its future F-35A fleet once it is operational. These weapons include 70 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs); 50 AIM-9X Block II/II+ Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles; 18 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 12 2,000lb Mk 84 general-purpose bombs or 2,…
