Nečas says Sweden being unhelpful in Gripen negotiations

Prime Minister Petr Nečas says Sweden is being “surprisingly unaccommodating” in negotiations regarding the renewal of a Defence Ministry contract for the rental of 14 Gripen fighter jets. The Czech Republic currently has the Jas-39 fighters on a 10-year lease for 19.6 billion crowns. Sweden is now insisting on two billion crowns a year, which Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra has rejected. The Czech Republic will be in exclusive negotiations with Sweden until November at which time it may hold an open tender for other providers.