Czech Republic signs $6.5B deal with US to purchase 24 F-35 jets

The Czech Republic on Monday signed a deal with the US to purchase 24 F-35 fighter jets as part of a deal worth around 150 billion crowns ($6.5 billion), according to media reports.

According to the deal, inked by Defense Minister Jana Cernochova and US Ambassador to the Czech Republic Bijan Sabet, Prague will take delivery of the jets in 2031-2035, the republic's state-run CTK news agency reported.

It is the biggest single arms contract in Czech Republic's history, it added.

Last May, the Czech Republic also approved the acquisition of 246 Swedish-made heavy infantry CV-90 fighting vehicles for $2.5 billion as part of its accelerated armament program after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.