U.S. approves $5.62B F-35 sale to Czech Republic

The State Department has approved a possible $5.62 billion foreign military sale of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to the Czech Republic, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice.

The deal would cover 24 F-35 conventional take-off-and-landing aircraft, 25 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 Engines, along with a wide range of munitions, missiles and sensors.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” DSCA said. “The proposed sale will improve the Czech Republic’s defense capabilities as well as support NATO operations by guarding against modern threats and maintaining a constant presence in the region.”

The principal contractors would be Lockheed Martin; RTX Missiles and Defense; and Boeing.