Putting a new fighter aircraft in place normally takes at least 3 years from the date on which the contracts are signed until the system is fully operational. In the case of Gripen in the Czech Air Force, this process was completed within 1 year. With no compromises and with a highly satisfied customer.
The need to modernise the Czech Air Force was identified back in the early 90s. The Air Force operated MIG-21s, which were scheduled to end their operational life. A decision was taken to replace them with new supersonic aircraft from a Western country. The Czech Defence Minister requested offers from several governments including Sweden, France and the USA.
New aircraft from Sweden
The Swedish government tendered the winning bid and the contract was signed in June 2004. It was a clever 10-year lease of 14 new Gripen aircraft, surpassing the competing offers which included only refurbished aircraft. The lease was supported by an offer from Gripen International to provide industrial co-operation worth 130 % of the lease contract.
The 14 new Gripen aircraft were delivered just one year later between April and August 2005, an exceptionally short lead-time for the industry. During this year, a ground crew of 40 technicians and 8 pilots passed an extensive training programme. The Czech instructor pilots undertook an extensive 80-flight training programme, providing them with all the necessary skills to train future Gripen pilots back in the Czech Republic. A second group of six experienced regular pilots required just 35 sorties to convert to the Gripen, proving the aircraft’s ease of operation.
Gripen was declared operational in the Czech Air Force on 1 June 2005.