Outgoing defence minister signs major military vehicles deal

The outgoing Defence Minister Karel Kunhl has signed a major deal between the Czech Republic and Austrian manufacturer Steyr for some 200 armoured personnel carriers. The deal is worth around 1 billion US dollars and is the most expensive order in the Czech military's history. The deal was expected to be signed earlier in the year but was postponed due to legal complaints by an unsuccessful bidder. Now, the signing by an outgoing minister whose party, the Freedom Union, failed to get re-elected to the lower house, has been criticised by the right-of-centre Civic Democrats. The party's deputy leader Petr Necas has nevertheless said that the Civic Democrats will respect the venture.

Author: Jan Velinger