Defense & Military
Czech Republic Extends Gripen Fighter Lease with Sweden Until 2035
Czech Republic renews Gripen lease with Sweden until 2035, ensuring NATO-ready air defense during transition to F-35 fighters.
The recent extension of the JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft lease agreement between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Czech Republic marks a pivotal moment for European defense cooperation. This renewed partnership ensures that the Czech Air Force maintains advanced fighter capabilities through 2035, bridging the gap to the nation’s future F-35 Lightning II fleet. The agreement not only secures Czech airspace but also highlights broader trends in NATO interoperability, defense procurement, and regional security architecture.
Understanding the roots and ramifications of this deal provides insight into how nations manage capability transitions, negotiate international contracts, and align military modernization with alliance commitments. The Czech-Swedish arrangement serves as a case study in balancing immediate operational needs with long-term strategic planning amid evolving security challenges in Central and Eastern Europe.
This article explores the historical context, financial structure, operational impact, and strategic significance of the Gripen lease extension, drawing on official sources and expert analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of its implications for the Czech Republic, Sweden, and NATO.
The origins of the Czech Republic’s relationship with the JAS-39 Gripen date back to the early 2000s, when Prague sought to replace its aging Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet. In 2004, the Czech government finalized a ten-year lease agreement for 14 Gripen C/D fighters, marking a strategic pivot toward Western technology and NATO standards. The deal was notable for its stringent requirements, which led several potential suppliers to withdraw, leaving Sweden’s offer as the most competitive and comprehensive.
The original contract, valued at approximately 650 million euros for the lease period, included a mix of 12 single-seat and 2 dual-seat aircraft. It also established frameworks for technology transfer and industrial cooperation, laying the groundwork for two decades of operational integration, pilot training, and maintenance support. This arrangement enabled the Czech Air Force to rapidly modernize while ensuring interoperability with NATO allies.
As the lease neared expiration, Czech officials weighed options for renewal, outright purchase, or transition to new platforms. The decision to pursue a lease extension was shaped by fiscal realities, evolving security demands, and the need to maintain uninterrupted air defense capabilities during the anticipated shift to F-35 fighters.
The original 2004 agreement was signed at a high-profile ceremony in Prague, attended by defense ministers and senior officials from both countries. The package included not only the aircraft lease but also support services and an industrial cooperation agreement, reflecting the depth of the bilateral partnership.
Throughout the initial lease period, the Czech Air Force developed substantial operational expertise with the Gripen, participating in NATO missions and joint exercises. The platform’s cost-effectiveness and reliability were repeatedly cited as strengths, and modernization programs were launched to keep the fleet technologically current. By the mid-2010s, the success of the Czech Gripen program had become a model for other countries considering similar procurement strategies, emphasizing flexibility, affordability, and alliance integration.
“Sweden’s proposal… successfully satisfied all specified criteria while providing terms that Czech negotiators found even more favorable than originally anticipated.”, Official Czech Ministry of Defense statement
The 2025 extension agreement emerged from over a year of complex negotiations, culminating in a contract that Czech officials described as 25% more favorable than Sweden’s initial offer. The revised terms were achieved through persistent diplomatic engagement, reflecting both nations’ commitment to mutual security and operational continuity.
Under the new deal, the Czech Republic will operate 12 Gripen aircraft (10 single-seat and 2 dual-seat) from 2027 to 2035, a slight reduction from the previous fleet size but deemed sufficient for national defense and NATO obligations. The contract covers not only aircraft leasing but also maintenance, support, and pilot training, ensuring a holistic approach to operational readiness.
The signing ceremony, held simultaneously in Prague and Stockholm, underscored the bilateral nature of the agreement. Czech officials highlighted the strategic necessity of the extension, given the projected delivery of F-35 aircraft beginning in 2031 and achieving full operational capability by 2035. This timing ensures seamless coverage of Czech airspace during the transition to fifth-generation fighters.
The total contract value for the extended lease is 6.012 billion Swedish kronor (about $639 million USD), including VAT and a separate modernization package worth 1.454 billion kronor (approximately $155 million USD). This structure reflects a significant cost reduction compared to earlier proposals, achieved despite initial concerns that costs might rise by 30-40% or even double.
Annual lease costs remain consistent with prior budgets, estimated at around 1.7 billion Czech crowns per year, making the extension financially sustainable. The modernization component builds on upgrades implemented since 2015, ensuring the Gripen fleet remains technologically relevant and interoperable with NATO systems throughout the lease period.
Comparative analysis suggests that purchasing new aircraft outright would have required far higher upfront investment, while alternative solutions risked operational gaps and reduced alliance interoperability. The extension thus represents a pragmatic compromise balancing fiscal, operational, and strategic priorities.
“The achievement of a 25 percent cost reduction compared to Sweden’s initial 2024 proposal represents a significant diplomatic and commercial success for Czech negotiators.”, Airforce-Technology.com analysis
The extended Gripen lease has profound implications for Czech national defense and NATO’s collective security architecture. Maintaining a fleet of 12 modern fighters through 2035 ensures that the Czech Republic can fulfill its air policing and alliance commitments without interruption, even as it prepares for the arrival of F-35s. The timing of the extension aligns precisely with the F-35 delivery schedule, eliminating potential capability gaps. NATO interoperability remains a core consideration, with the Gripen’s proven track record in alliance operations,including recent Enhanced Air Policing missions,demonstrating its continued value in the evolving European security environment.
Regional dynamics, particularly heightened tensions following Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Sweden’s own accession to NATO, have increased the importance of robust, integrated air defense networks. The Czech Gripen fleet contributes to this stability, supporting joint exercises, training, and contingency planning across Central and Eastern Europe.
The JAS-39 Gripen C/D is recognized for its advanced avionics, weapons flexibility, and low operational costs,estimated at around €7,000 per flight hour. Its short takeoff and landing capability enables dispersed operations, a critical asset in contested environments.
The modernization program included in the lease extension ensures the aircraft will remain compatible with evolving NATO standards and threat environments. Upgrades address sensors, communications, and defensive systems, while the dual-seat variants provide essential training capacity for new pilots and transition programs.
Continuity in pilot training and maintenance expertise is a key benefit of the extension, supporting a smooth transition to the more complex F-35 platform and preserving operational proficiency throughout the modernization process.
“Even with fewer aircraft, the protection of Czech airspace will be ensured.”, Major General Petr ÄŒepelka, Commander of the Czech Air Force
The Gripen lease extension is strategically synchronized with the Czech Republic’s acquisition of 24 F-35A Lightning II fighters, the largest military procurement in Czech history. The first F-35s are expected in 2031, with full operational capability by 2035,precisely when the Gripen lease concludes.
This planned overlap allows Czech pilots to maintain operational readiness on the Gripen while training on the F-35, minimizing the risk of gaps in air defense coverage. The F-35 program includes comprehensive support, infrastructure, and training components, reflecting a lifecycle cost approach estimated at CZK 322 billion (USD 14.3 billion) through 2069.
The Czech approach demonstrates best practices in managing the transition between fighter generations, balancing short-term needs with long-term modernization and alliance integration. The lessons learned from this process may inform similar transitions in other NATO member states. The Czech-Swedish agreement occurs against a backdrop of rising global defense spending and growing demand for cost-effective, interoperable fighter platforms. Sweden’s defense procurement budget has more than doubled since 2022, reflecting increased security concerns and international demand for platforms like the Gripen.
Saab, the Gripen’s manufacturers, projects strong export prospects for the aircraft, citing its operational flexibility and affordability. The Czech experience reinforces the value of industrial partnerships, technology transfer, and continuous modernization as key factors in successful defense procurement.
Within Europe, the war in Ukraine and Sweden’s NATO accession have accelerated defense cooperation and capability development, further highlighting the importance of agreements like the Gripen lease extension in sustaining regional security and alliance readiness.
The extension of the Czech Gripen lease until 2035 exemplifies effective international defense cooperation, strategic planning, and negotiation. Achieving a 25% cost reduction while maintaining operational continuity and aligning with F-35 delivery schedules demonstrates the value of principled, persistent diplomacy and integrated procurement strategies.
As the Czech Republic transitions to fifth-generation fighters, the Gripen fleet will continue to provide essential air defense and alliance contributions. The agreement’s structure, financial prudence, and alignment with broader NATO and regional security objectives make it a model for future capability transitions and international partnerships.
What is the duration of the new Gripen lease agreement between Sweden and the Czech Republic? How many Gripen aircraft will the Czech Air Force operate under the new agreement? Why did the Czech Republic choose to extend the Gripen lease instead of purchasing new aircraft? What is included in the lease extension package? How does this agreement impact NATO and regional security? Sources:
Sweden’s FMV and Czech Republic Extend Gripen Lease Until 2035: Strategic, Economic, and Security Implications
Historical Foundation of the Czech-Swedish Gripen Partnership
Key Milestones in the Original Lease
Details and Dynamics of the 2025 Lease Extension
Financial Structure and Cost Implications
Strategic and Operational Impact for NATO and Regional Security
Technical and Training Considerations
Transition to F-35 Lightning II and Future Outlook
Industry and Regional Defense Trends
Conclusion
FAQ
The lease has been extended until 2035, covering the period from 2027 when the current lease expires.
The Czech Air-Forces will operate 12 Gripen aircraft (10 single-seat and 2 dual-seat) under the extended lease.
Extending the lease was more cost-effective and ensured operational continuity until the Delivery and operational readiness of the new F-35 fleet, scheduled for 2031–2035.
The package covers aircraft leasing, maintenance, support, pilot training, and a modernization program to keep the fleet technologically current.
The extension ensures the Czech Republic can meet its NATO air defense obligations without interruption, contributing to regional stability and alliance readiness.
Airforce-Technology.com,
Armádnà Noviny,
Saab,
NATO
Photo Credit: Saab
Defense & Military
Morocco Launches Military Aircraft Maintenance Center with Sabena and Lockheed Martin
Morocco partners with Sabena Engineering and Lockheed Martin to build Maintenance Aero Maroc, a facility servicing F-16 and C-130 aircraft by 2026.
This article is based on official announcements and press releases from La Belgique au Maroc and public data.
In a significant move toward industrial defense sovereignty, the Kingdom of Morocco has officially launched the construction of a major military aircraft maintenance center in Benslimane. Known as Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM), the project is a joint venture bringing together the Belgian aerospace firm Sabena Engineering (part of Orizio Group), American defense giant Lockheed Martin, and the Moroccan state-owned MEDZ.
The new facility, situated approximately 50 kilometers from Casablanca, represents a pivotal shift in Morocco’s defense strategy. By establishing domestic capabilities for heavy maintenance and modernization, the country aims to reduce its reliance on foreign MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services while positioning itself as a regional hub for military aviation support.
According to official project details, the Maintenance Aero Maroc center will span approximately 9,000 square meters within a dedicated aerospace industrial zone at Benslimane Airport. Construction officially commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2025, and the facility is scheduled to become fully operational in the second half of 2026.
The site is designed to handle the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s (RMAF) most critical assets. Specifically, the center will provide comprehensive maintenance, repair, and modernization services for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Official statements indicate that the facility is built with modularity in mind, allowing for future expansion to service additional platforms, including helicopters.
Beyond its military utility, the project is a significant economic driver. While initial announcements highlighted the creation of over 100 skilled jobs, broader project targets aim for 300 highly skilled positions for engineers and technicians. To support this workforce, the partnership includes a strong emphasis on vocational training to ensure local staff meet the rigorous OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) standards required by Lockheed Martin.
The collaboration highlights the deepening ties between Morocco, Belgium, and the United States. Executives from the partner companies have emphasized that MAM is more than just infrastructure; it is a geopolitical and industrial milestone.
Stéphane Burton, CEO of Sabena Engineering, described the facility’s regional ambition in a statement: “This project represents a strategic partnership for Sabena Engineering. It will become a center capable of serving other countries in the Mediterranean region. This facility is not just infrastructure, but a symbol of shared ambition and mutual trust between committed partners.”
Similarly, Ray Piselli, Vice President of International Business at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the long-term benefits of the joint venture:
“This collaboration goes beyond industrial capacity building. It creates skilled employment, supports Morocco’s industrial growth, and reinforces our partnership with Orizio Group, demonstrating that genuine cooperation delivers lasting security and shared prosperity.”
The establishment of Maintenance Aero Maroc signals a mature phase in Morocco’s defense industrial strategy. Historically a purchaser of defense equipment, Morocco is leveraging Law 10-20, which established the framework for domestic defense manufacturing, to become a sustainer and modernizer of its own fleet.
We observe that this move serves a dual purpose. Domestically, it ensures higher operational readiness for the RMAF by localizing critical maintenance cycles. Regionally, it positions Morocco as a potential exporter of MRO services to African and Mediterranean allies operating similar US-made platforms. With the backing of Lockheed Martin, the facility gains immediate credibility, potentially drawing business from other F-16 and C-130 operators in the region who seek alternatives to servicing aircraft in the US or Europe.
When will the facility open? What aircraft will be serviced there? Who are the partners involved?
Morocco and Sabena Engineering Forge Strategic Defense Partnership with New Benslimane Facility
A State-of-the-Art Maintenance Hub
Economic Impact and Workforce Development
Strategic Voices on the Partnership
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction began in October 2025, and the center is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2026.
The primary focus is on the Lockheed Martin F-16 and C-130 Hercules, with potential future expansion into helicopters and other platforms.
The project is a partnership between the Moroccan State (via MEDZ), Sabena Engineering (Belgium), and Lockheed Martin (USA).
Sources
Photo Credit: La Belgique au Maroc
Defense & Military
Boeing Uses Retired B-52 for Engine Integration Testing
Boeing repurposes retired B-52H “Damage Inc. II” to validate Rolls-Royce F130 engine installation for fleet modernization through 2050.
This article is based on an official press release and company news from Boeing.
In the high-stakes world of aerospace engineering, digital models are king. Yet, for the United States Air Force’s legendary B-52 Stratofortress, the most critical tool for modernization is not a computer simulation, but a resurrected 60-year-old airframe known as “Damage Inc. II.”
According to official reports from Boeing, this retired B-52H, tail number 61-0009, has been pulled from storage to serve as a ground-based integration model. Its mission is vital: to validate the installation of new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, ensuring the bomber fleet remains operational through 2050.
The initiative is part of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), a massive undertaking to replace the aging Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines that have powered the B-52 since the 1960s. By using a physical “test bench,” engineers can bridge the gap between modern digital design and the physical realities of a Cold War-era Commercial-Aircraft.
Built in 1961, the aircraft now known as “Damage Inc. II” served for decades before being retired to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), commonly known as the “Boneyard”, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona in 2008. For nearly 14 years, it sat in the desert sun, seemingly destined for scrap.
However, in January 2022, the aircraft began a new chapter. According to Boeing, the fuselage and left wing were separated and transported 1,400 miles to a specialized facility near Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. The right wing and tail section were sent to a separate facility in Wichita, Kansas, for structural stress testing.
Currently housed in a “high bay” integration lab, the aircraft is no longer flight-worthy but serves a higher purpose. It acts as a high-fidelity mock-up, allowing Boeing and Air Force teams to physically interact with the airframe without taking an active-duty bomber out of service.
While modern aerospace engineering relies heavily on “Digital Twins”, exact 3D virtual replicas of aircraft, the B-52 presents a unique challenge. Every Stratofortress was hand-built in the 1960s, resulting in slight variations from one airframe to the next. Sheet metal tolerances, rivet placements, and hydraulic line routing can differ in ways that digital blueprints might not fully capture. The primary role of “Damage Inc. II” is to de-risk the integration of the new Rolls-Royce F130 engines. These modern high-bypass turbofans are larger and heavier than the original engines, requiring new pylons and nacelles. Boeing engineers use the physical airframe to perform “fit checks,” ensuring that the new components attach correctly to the wing structure.
This physical validation is crucial for identifying potential clashes between new systems and existing infrastructure, such as pneumatic ducts and electrical wiring. By discovering these issues on a ground-based model, the program avoids costly delays during the modification of the active fleet.
Beyond structural fit, the mock-up is essential for testing maintenance ergonomics. Engineers and mechanics use the rig to simulate routine repair tasks, ensuring that technicians have enough clearance for their hands and tools. This focus on maintainability is expected to significantly reduce long-term sustainment costs.
“It allows the team to verify digital designs against the real-world irregularities of a 60-year-old airframe, ensuring the new engines fit and can be maintained properly before any active aircraft are modified.”
Summary of Boeing reports
The work on “Damage Inc. II” is not limited to physical hardware. Boeing is employing “mixed reality” technologies to enhance the integration process. Engineers wearing Virtual Reality (VR) headsets can stand next to the physical fuselage and see digital overlays of the new engines and subsystems. This allows them to visualize how new components will route through the old airframe in real-time.
Data gathered from these physical tests is then fed back into the program’s “Digital Thread,” updating the master blueprints for the entire fleet. This cycle of physical testing and digital updating ensures that the modification kits produced for the operational B-52s will fit with minimal adjustments.
The reliance on a physical mock-up like “Damage Inc. II” highlights a critical reality in defense modernization: legacy platforms cannot be treated like new builds. While digital engineering has revolutionized aircraft design, the “hand-made” nature of mid-20th-century engineering requires a tactile approach.
By investing in this ground-based test bed, the Air Force is likely saving millions in potential retrofit costs. If a design flaw were discovered only after the first active B-52 entered the modification line, the resulting fleet-wide delays could be catastrophic for strategic readiness. “Damage Inc. II” effectively serves as an insurance policy for the B-52’s longevity. What is the B-52 CERP? Will “Damage Inc. II” ever fly again? Where is the aircraft located?
From the Boneyard to the Lab: How “Damage Inc. II” Secures the B-52’s Future
The Resurrection of Tail 61-0009
Bridging the Digital and Physical Worlds
Validating the Rolls-Royce F130 Integration
Human Factors and Maintenance
Advanced Technology Integration
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) is an Air Force initiative to replace the B-52’s eight TF33 engines with modern Rolls-Royce F130 engines, improving fuel efficiency by 30% and extending the aircraft’s life.
No. The aircraft has been partially dismantled (fuselage and left wing only) and is permanently grounded as a structural test and integration model.
It is currently housed at a Boeing facility near Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Sources
Photo Credit: Boeing
Defense & Military
USAF Plans to Expand E-4C Doomsday Aircraft Fleet to Eight
USAF infrastructure plans indicate housing eight E-4C Doomsday aircraft, doubling the current contract of five, with full capability expected by 2030.
This article summarizes reporting by Aviation Week. The original report is paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements, government documents, and public remarks.
The United States Air Forces appears to be laying the groundwork to significantly expand its fleet of nuclear command and control aircraft. According to reporting by Aviation Week, recently released infrastructure requirements suggest the service is planning to house up to eight E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft, double the size of the current E-4B “Nightwatch” fleet.
The revelation stems from industry day slides presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on January 22, 2026. These documents, detailing construction projects at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, outline requirements for facilities capable of supporting a larger squadron than previously announced. While the official acquisition contract currently covers five aircraft, the long-term infrastructure planning points toward a strategic intent to bolster the resilience of the nation’s “Continuity of Government” mission.
There is currently a distinction between the Air Force’s contracted acquisitions and its facility planning. In April 2024, the Air Force awarded Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) a $13 billion contract to develop the E-4C, the designated replacement for the aging E-4B fleet. That contract explicitly covers the development and modification of five aircraft: one for engineering and manufacturing development, followed by four production aircraft.
However, the new construction documents cited by Aviation Week indicate a requirement to house “six to eight E-4Cs.” The planned infrastructure improvements at Offutt AFB, the fleet’s home base, include:
This infrastructure expansion suggests that while the initial buy is limited to five airframes, the Air Force is preparing the physical footprint necessary to support a fleet of eight in the 2030s.
The E-4C is based on the Boeing 747-8i, a modern commercial airframe that offers significant improvements in range, fuel efficiency, and payload capacity over the vintage 747-200s used for the current E-4B fleet. Because Boeing ended production of the 747 in 2023, SNC is acquiring used commercial airframes for modification.
According to program details, SNC has already purchased five Boeing 747-8i aircraft from Korean Air. These airframes are currently undergoing the complex modifications required to harden them against electromagnetic pulses (EMP) and nuclear effects, transforming them into mobile command posts for the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Flight testing for the program reportedly began in August 2025, focusing on initial airworthiness and risk reduction. The fleet is expected to reach full operational capability in the early-to-mid 2030s, with infrastructure projects at Offutt AFB slated for completion between 2028 and 2030. Expanding the “Doomsday” fleet from four to eight aircraft would address long-standing readiness challenges inherent in the current E-4B program. The existing fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s, struggles with availability rates that often hover around 60%. Maintaining a 24/7 alert posture with only four airframes creates a fragile logistical chain where a single unscheduled maintenance event can disrupt coverage.
We assess that a fleet of eight would allow for a sustainable rotation model. This would ensure that while some aircraft are in heavy maintenance or training cycles, others remain available for immediate launch to support multiple theaters simultaneously. For example, a larger fleet would allow the USAF to support the President and the Secretary of Defense in different geographic locations without depleting the alert force.
While the infrastructure plans account for eight jets, securing the additional airframes presents a unique challenge. Since the 747-8 is no longer in production, the Air Force and SNC must rely on the secondary market. Aviation Week notes that the international market for used 747-8s is “heating up,” which may create urgency if the Air Force intends to exercise options for the additional three aircraft.
SNC has stated it is “prepared to field additional aircraft” should the Air Force formalize the requirement.
The selection of SNC, a mid-tier defense manufacturer, over Boeing for this integration project marked a significant shift in defense procurement. SNC’s rapid acquisition of the initial five airframes and the commencement of flight testing within 16 months of the contract award demonstrates an aggressive push to meet the Air Force’s accelerated timelines.
Sources: Aviation Week, US Army Corps of Engineers, Sierra Nevada Corp
USAF Infrastructure Plans Hint at Doubling “Doomsday” Fleet Size
Infrastructure vs. Acquisition: The Numbers Gap
The E-4C SAOC Program Status
AirPro News Analysis: The Strategic Logic of Expansion
Market Constraints and Urgency
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble
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