Spanish Military to Bolster NATO Presence in Slovakia Against Russian Threat

The Spanish Army will begin deploying along the Russian border in January to protect NATO's eastern flank. Spain plans to deploy over 600 soldiers in Slovakia, along with Leopard and Pizarro combat tanks, armored vehicles, and potentially, Army helicopters, as reported by ABC.

This maneuver aims to bolster NATO's presence on its eastern flank, near the border with Russia. The decision was reportedly announced by the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, during the NATO summit held in July in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The initial troops will be sent to the Slovak base in Lest in January, while the official mission will commence on July 1. Spain will thus assume leadership of the land battalion, previously commanded by the Czech Republic.

Additionally, military sources pointed out that the mission in Slovakia will be one of the most comprehensive operations of the Spanish Armed Forces to date and "will not have to go through the Congress filter," despite the National Defense Law requiring all operations conducted abroad, not directly related to Spain's defense or national interest, to obtain the Parliament's authorization.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense indicated that the maneuver is part of NATO's operation on the eastern flank, known as Enhanced Forward Presence, which is already active in Latvia. Thus, it is not a new operation but an extension of an existing one, as argued by the agency.

Even though the government almost certainly has parliamentary support – typically backed by the People's Party (PP) and Vox – the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) aims to avoid conflicts with Sumar and its coalition partners, traditionally critical on Defense matters.

Since March 2022, NATO has deployed troops in eight European countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Czech Republic in talks to buy C-390 Millenium transport aircraft

The Czech Defence Ministry made an announcement on Tuesday that the government is entering negotiations to purchase an undisclosed number of Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the nation's military.

According to the ministry, the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic lack a medium- and long-range aircraft capable of flights lasting at least 12 hours, with the ability to take off and land on unpaved runways.

Aero Vodochody, a Czech company, supplies various components to Brazil's Embraer for the production of the C-390 aircraft. The exact value of the planned acquisition remains undisclosed at this time.

If Prague decides to award the order to Embraer, this would mark another significant contract for the manufacturer in the region. Austria recently made a similar decision, opting to purchase four C-390s for its armed forces as a replacement for its aging C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. Austria's Defence Ministry revealed plans to spend between €130 million and €150 million (U.S. $137 million to U.S. $158 million) per plane in this effort.

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Czech Republic to replace their Mi-24 with Bell UH-1Y/AH-1Z or Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

The US Department of State has given its approval to potential deals that could equip the Czech Republic with Bell UH-1Y/AH-1Z or Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
Detailed by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 3 May, a possible Foreign Military Sales purchase by Prague could involve either an initial four AH-1Zs or 12 UH-60Ms.
Armaments proposed for the AH-1Z include the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile and a nose-mounted 20mm cannon, while the UH-60M would feature BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guided rockets and machine guns.
Prague had previously expressed an interest in acquiring up to 12 UH-1Ys. Bell completed production of the type for the US Marine Corps last year, with no export orders yet secured for the type.
flightglobal

Czech Republic plans to procure two additional C-295s

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced it intends to move forward with the procurement of an additional two C-295 tactical transport aircraft to bolster its existing fleet of four aircraft currently in service with the air forces of the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) since 2010.
“We would like to take delivery of the aircraft by 2020 or shortly thereafter,” Brigadier General Petr Hromek, the recently appointed commander of the ACR air forces, told media on 18 June.
Brig Gen Hromek said the two C-295s would replace two obsolete Russian-made Yakovlev Yak-40 jet airliners currently in service with the ACR and used in the VIP transport role, and are scheduled for retirement by 2020 when their airframes reach the end of their service lives.
Jiri Kominek janes

US Approves Sale of 12 Bell UH-1Y to Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is looking to update its fleet of military helicopters with a deal worth $575 million. Approved by the U.S. State Department, the Czech Republic is set to receive 12 Bell Helicopter UH-1Ys.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Oct. 11 of the foreign military sale, which includes the UH-1Ys, as well as 25 of General Electric’s T-700 401c engines, 13 Honeywell GPS systems and 12 M240 machine guns.
“The Czech Republic intends to use these helicopters to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats,” the State Department said in a statement. “This will contribute to the Czech Republic’s military goal of updating its capabilities while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other NATO allies.”

Iraq receives first L-159 jets from the Czech Republic

Iraq has received the first of its L-159 light attack and training aircraft from the Czech Republic.
The Czech Ministry of Defence cleared the sale of 11 surplus and four active-duty L-159s to Iraq earlier in the year. In all, the IqAF is to receive 10 single-seat L-159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) light strike platforms, two twin-seat L-159B Albatros II trainers, and three spare parts airframes by the time deliveries are complete in 2017.
Based on the L-39/59, the L-159 has a larger, redesigned nose to accommodate a radar; a longer fuselage; the option for a single-seat armoured cockpit with 297 kg of additional fuel in lieu of the rear seat for the ALCA model; modern controls and avionics; as well as permanent wingtip fuel tanks. The aircraft features seven external stores stations - one under the fuselage and three under each wing - and can carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM, the AGM-65 Maverick ASM, and SUU-20 or CRV-7 unguided rocket pods, up to a maximum payload of 2,700 kg (5,952 lb).
janes

USAF F-22 Raptors will Train With Czech Gripens

The US wants its F-22 Raptor fighters, which its plans to deploy in Europe, to learn to cooperate with the supersonic fighters of the allies, not only with the most widespread Eurofighter Typhoons but also the Gripen fighters used by the Czechs, daily Lidové noviny (LN) writes today.
praguepost

Bangladesh preparing to receive first of three L 410 transports

Czech manufacturer Aircraft Industries has completed the first of three L 410UVP-E20 twin-turboprop transport aircraft for the Bangladeshi Air Force.
The current BAF transport fleet includes three Antonov An-32s, two of which were delivered in 1990 and the third in 1995, and four 1960s-era ex-US Air Force Lockheed C-130B Hercules, delivered from 2002.
In 2012, the US Congress was notified of a possible sale of four ex-USAF C-130Es to Bangladesh, but nothing further has been heard of that potential deal.
janes

Four USAF A-10 Land in Czech Republic for Military Exercise

The POP UP A-10 CAS military exercise, which runs through April 17, will take place without live ammunition in the area normally used for the training of air support in the vicinity of Trebic.
The U.S. planes landed in Namest at round 14:00. Training flights should start as of Thursday.
The Czech air force have long been developing cooperation with the United States in this field.
ceskenoviny

Czech Republic in talk whit Vietnam to Provide 12 L-410

Vietnam is in talks to buy 12 short-range transport aircraft Let L-410 of the Czech Republic.
L-410 Turbolet 14,42m long, 5,83m tall, 19,48m wingspan, maximum takeoff weight of 6.4 tons, aircraft load carrying 1.6 tons of cargo or 19 people. The aircraft is equipped with 2 Turboprop Walter M601E allowed to reach a maximum speed of 380km / h in 4.2 km or ceiling bay cruise speed of 365km, nearly 1.400km range.
defense-studies

Czech Republic sell 15 of their L-159s to Iraq

The Czech government today approved the sale of 15 redundant L-159 combat planes to Iraq.
The ministry struck an agreement with Aero Vodochody on the supply to the Iraqi military at the end of last August. The firm will buy the aircraft from the military, and it will then resell them to Iraq.
This procedure is required by the respective law.
Aero Vodochody will ensure that the planes are operable and that they are fitted with further equipment and ammunition.
It will ensure the training of pilots and the ground stuff.
Out of the 15 aircraft to be sold have been grounded and four are actively used by the soldiers. Iraq will acquire 10 one-seaters, two two-seaters and three will be dismantled into spare parts.
Aero Vodochody will subsequently rebuild three one-seaters from the military's reserves into three two-seaters for the armed forces.
By the end of November 2017, the military would have 24 aircraft, including 16 one-seaters and eight two-seaters.
The Czech Republic has tried to sell the redundant L-159s for many years.
Last July, the Defense Ministry and Aero Vodochody signed a contract on the basis of which Aero would sell some redundant L-159s to the U.S. company Draken International.
praguepost

Aero Vodochody in Talks with Thailand over L-39 Replacement

Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody is in negotiations with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to supply replacements for at least four Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros jet trainers.
Aero is offering its L-159 ALCA or L-39NG as replacement aircraft.
The RTAF currently operates a total of 36 L-39ZA/ART, most of which were westernised with Israeli avionics and are capable of firing Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
The bulk of these aircraft were procured during the early to mid-1990s. However, a smaller number of unwesternised L-39s were acquired during the 1980s and are approaching the end of their service lives.
defense-studies

KC-390 enters production phase of development

The Embraer KC-390 tanker-transport aircraft has entered into the production phase of its development schedule that includes the series manufacture of 28 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileria - FAB).
With the roll-out of the first of two prototype aircraft in the coming days marking the end of the first phase of the development programme, the company has begun to allocate USD1.9 billion of funding for the purchase of materials for the manufacture of the series aircraft.
The maiden flight of the first prototype is set to take place before the end of 2014, with certification of the 'green' aircraft expected at the end of 2015. Final operational clearance is set for mid-2016, with Embraer commencing delivery of production aircraft to the FAB launch customer from that date.
With a payload of 23 tonnes (or 19 tonnes to a range of 2,000 n miles) and a 36,000 ft service ceiling, the KC-390 is being billed as a competitor to the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules (22 tonnes). It could also be pitted against the Airbus Military C295 (7 tonnes), Antonov An-72/74 'Coaler' (10 tonnes), Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan (11.5 tonnes), and even the Airbus Military A400M Atlas (37 tonnes).
Embraer currently has a potential order book numbering 60 KC-390 aircraft, covering 28 for Brazil, 12 for Colombia, 6 each for Argentina, Chile, and Portugal, and 2 for the Czech Republic. Embraer expects that the KC-390 will secure a large portion of a fixed-wing medium-lift market that amounts to approximately 700 aircraft in 77
janes

Czech Air Force takes over surveillance of Icelandic airspace

Five Czech Gripen fighter jets are flying to Iceland on Friday as the Czech Army prepares to take over surveillance of Icelandic airspace. Over the next nine weeks Czech aircraft and a contingent of 75 soldiers will be primarily responsible for Iceland’s air defence, the only NATO member state with no air force of its own.
Iceland, one of the founding members of NATO, is the only member state without an army. Its role in NATO revolves around its strategic position and the NATO airbases on its territory. Consequently its defence is in the hands of NATO allies. From 1951 to 2006 the country’s air defence was exclusively in the hands of the United States after which other NATO members accepted the responsibility in a rotating joint operation. For the first time ever the Czech air force will now have the task of patrolling Iceland’s airspace. The planned five week surveillance mission was recently extended to nine weeks at NATOs request.
radio.cz

Slovakian C-27J contract imminent

Slovakia's longstanding aim to buy new transport aircraft may soon come to fruition, with the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) announcing it hopes to sign a contract to acquire two Alenia Aermacchi C-27J by 30 September.
Slovakian Defence Ministersaid that he hoped to "finalise [a] contract for the purchase of two Spartan aircraft. Our ambition is to complete the process by 30 September".
Slovakia has long sought to buy new tactical transport aircraft to replace its aging Antonov An-24 'Coke' and An-26 'Curl' transporters. However, despite the fatal crash of an An-24 in 2006 giving the purchase urgency and the downselect of the C-27J for the requirement in December 2008, budgetary issues had stalled the acquisition by 2009. Talks with Alenia were understood to have been resumed by Slovakia in 2012, and a MC-27J was present at SIAF 2014.
According to a Slovak MoD statement, the purchase still needs approval from the Slovak Security Council and the government. The MoD noted however that the deal was an approved part of the Slovak Air Force's long-term development plan.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic had at one point considered the joint-acquisition of tactical transport aircraft. However, while the Czech Republic selected the Airbus C295 in 2008, Slovakia decided that the C295's internal dimensions were too small to suit its needs.
janes

Czech government approves L-159 sale to Iraq

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) will allow the sale of 15 Aero Vodochody L-159 ALCA light attack and training aircraft to Iraq, it announced on 27 August.
The MoD reached an agreement with Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody to transfer 11 surplus Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) L-159A aircraft held in storage and another four L-159 aircraft in active service with the ACR including two 2-seater L-159B models.
janes

Iraq Eyes Czech Mi 24 helos To Combat ISIL Militants

The Czech Republic is in talks to sell Russian-built Mil Mi-24 helicopters to the Iraqi Defense Ministry.
Currently, the Czech Air Force operates 17 Mi-24 helos. Of these, seven aircraft could be sold to the Iraqi government, according to Czech ministry officials.
The minister said that, in addition to the helos, the Iraqi government has expressed interest in purchasing Aero L-159 light combat aircraft.
Should the deal go through, the helos will be modernized and Iraqi pilots will undergo training in the Czech Republic. The copters are to be used to bolster Iraqi efforts to combat Sunni insurgents in the country’s north, where militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured several cities this month.
The twin-engine aircraft is a combat helo with transport capabilities. It is enabled with a maximum speed of 310 kilometers per hour, has a load capacity of 2.4 tons, and a flight range of 750 kilometers, according to data from the Czech Defense Ministry. The aircraft is manufactured by the Moscow Mil helicopter plant.
defensenews

Czechs will accede to NATO request to protect Iceland for longer

The Defense Ministry has no problem complying with the NATO request to extend the autumn mission of Czech Jas-39 Gripen fighters in Iceland.
The government and the Chamber of Deputies,must approve the new mandate.
Iceland air policing this autumn by Czechs, was planned for three weeks, and it is intended to be extended at least twice, and probably longer.
The mission will possible double the costs.
The Czech fighters will supervise the security of Iceland, which does not have its own military, between September and December. Physically, the planes will only be on the island for about three weeks. The mandate approved in 2012 expects a maximum stay of five weeks. For the rest of the time, the Gripens would only fly to the northern Atlantic Ocean from the Czech Republic in case of danger.
In the Baltics, the aircraft of NATO states stay in the countries throughout the mission. Czech aircraft supervised the air spaces of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in 2009 and 2012.
praguepost

Brazil to order 28 KC-390

Embraer signed a firm order with the Brazilian Air Force for the supply of 28 production KC-390 tactical transport/tanker aircraft.
First delivery of production aircraft is expected at the end of 2016, with production under the contract running for ten years.
In addition to the aircraft, the contract includes a comprehensive logistics support package covering spare parts and maintenance services.
This is the first firm order of the type and it paves the way for the conclusion of further firm sales for the program´s current industrial partners Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
These countries have signed memorandum of understanding comprising potential demand for a further 32 KC-390.
To be able to certify the KC-390 for Antarctic operations, one of its most demanding roles, comprehensive cold weather tests are to be held, possibly in Canada.
Final assembly is to begin in June.
flightglobal

Czech govt approves money for Gripen fighters lease until 2027

The Czech government approved the financing of Gripen fighters supersonic aircraft and it will provide funds, including withholding tax and VAT, for them in 2015-27.
The government decided to extend the lease of Gripen fighters by Sweden until 2027 in March.
According to the new lease contract, the aircraft will be upgraded.
The Defence Ministry says systems of the data transmission of information in the NATO format, systems of secret voice connection, night vision, and others will be obtained.
Further training of the Czech ground and flying personnel and the gaining of unnecessary ammunition are also counted with.
In Mardch the government approved an extension of the contract under which the Czech Republic is now leasing 14 Gripens, until 2027, with a two-year option.
The annual instalments are to be about one third lower compared with the current contract. The valid lease will expire in 2015.
ceskenoviny