The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the U.S. State Department has given its approval for the sale of F-35 fighter jets, munitions, and associated equipment to the Czech Republic. The deal, which is valued at up to $5.62 billion, has been notified to Congress by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The primary contractors involved in this potential sale will be Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing. The Czech government had expressed its intention last year to purchase 24 F-35 jets as replacements for the Gripen fighters leased from Sweden’s Saab AB.
In addition to the fighter jets, the approved package includes a spare engine, 70 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), various types of bombs, support equipment, spare parts, and technical support, according to the Pentagon.
It is important to note that although the State Department has granted approval, this notification does not signify the signing of a contract or the conclusion of negotiations.
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