PRAGUE, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The Czech military plans to spend over 100 billion crowns (about 4.5 billion U.S. dollars) on equipment purchase by 2027, said Czech Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata on Monday.
According to Opata, the purchase will help the military to respond to current and future threats. More than 100 purchase and upgrading projects will be completed within the next 10 years.
The new equipment includes CASA transport aircraft, multipurpose helicopters, mobile and airbase radars, armoured vehicles, an anti-aircraft system and combat drones.
The most expensive purchase will be the plan to buy 210 tracked infantry fighting vehicles, for an estimated price of 53 billion crowns (about 2.4 billion U.S. dollars).
Another important modernization project is the purchase of 12 multipurpose helicopters that will provide firing support for ground forces and transport goods and wounded persons. They will replace the old Russian-made Mi-24s combat helicopters.
The military also plans to buy 52 artillery guns of 155 mm caliber, which is commonly used in NATO. Jaromir Alan, head of the Defence Ministry acquisition planning section, said new short range air defence (SHORAD) systems will replace the current Russian production.
The T-72 tank will also be further upgraded. According to Opata, the weapon system would be improved. By 2025, the military commanders will have to decide whether the Russian tanks would be replaced by new equipment or not.
Czech air force commander Petr Hromek said the military would like to receive two new CASA transport planes which will replace the old Jak-40 aircrafts after 2020. The JAS-39 Gripen fighters will be upgraded and will be capable of hitting ground targets.
