Spain, Czech Republic look to buy F-35
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| RAF F-35B STOVL combat aircraft. |
Spain appears to be one of the next candidate countries to join the Lockheed Martin F-35 user club.
An anonymous officer recently confided to Janes about the existence of new active sales campaigns in Europe for the fifth generation aircraft.
He/She revealed that in addition to participating in the Finland tender and being under evaluation by Greece, the F-35 is engaged in two other campaigns in Europe.
"Other [European] countries have officially expressed interest, and they would be Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic. They are actively campaigning," the official confirmed.
An anonymous officer recently confided to Janes about the existence of new active sales campaigns in Europe for the fifth generation aircraft.
He/She revealed that in addition to participating in the Finland tender and being under evaluation by Greece, the F-35 is engaged in two other campaigns in Europe.
"Other [European] countries have officially expressed interest, and they would be Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic. They are actively campaigning," the official confirmed.
According to Janes's source, the Spanish requirement covers both the Air Force for 25 F-35As to replace the EF-18 Hornets and the Navy for 25 F-35Bs to replace the AV-8B Harrier II jump jets. F-35 selection is scheduled for 2025 and deliveries will begin in approximately 2027.
As the Spanish Navy currently operates the Harrier from its amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I, it has long been known that it will have to acquire the F-35B in order not to deactivate its fixed-wing combat component. The F-35 is currently the only STOVL fighter option available on the market.
The Czech requirement is for up to 40 F-35A aircraft to replace the 14 JAS-39 Gripen C/Ds operated by the Czech Air Force on lease until 2027. Although the Czech government sent a request for information for the F-16, Lockheed Martin decided to focus its offer on the F-35. The delivery plan is the same as in Spain.
As the Spanish Navy currently operates the Harrier from its amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I, it has long been known that it will have to acquire the F-35B in order not to deactivate its fixed-wing combat component. The F-35 is currently the only STOVL fighter option available on the market.
The Czech requirement is for up to 40 F-35A aircraft to replace the 14 JAS-39 Gripen C/Ds operated by the Czech Air Force on lease until 2027. Although the Czech government sent a request for information for the F-16, Lockheed Martin decided to focus its offer on the F-35. The delivery plan is the same as in Spain.
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Written by Matteo Sanzani
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