Airlines

Czechs Want F-35 Fighter Jets, CV-90 Fighting Vehicles

Czech government has decided to begin negotiations with the United States about purchasing #F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from #Lockheed Martin Corp. to replace the leased Gripen fighters from Sweden’s Saab AB.

According to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the Czech government has decided to begin negotiations with the United States about purchasing F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp. to replace the leased Gripen fighters from Sweden’s Saab AB. After cancelling a bid for the supplies, the NATO member state will also take the lead in negotiations to purchase fighting vehicles from a Swedish affiliate of BAE Systems.

At a live-streamed press conference, Fiala stated, “This is another step to modernise the army and meet our alliance responsibilities.” These are crucial choices at a time when the security of Europe and the Czech Republic is confronted with fresh difficulties brought by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

The nation now has 14 Swedish-built Gripen aircraft that are leased through 2027. In June, Lockheed Martin stated that it may deliver the first F-35 fighter jets to Germany, which borders the Czech Republic, in 2026 and that it expected receiving more orders for the aircraft in Europe, possibly from Greece and the Czech Republic. According to a deal announced on Monday by the US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin, around 375 F-35 fighter jets would be built over a three-year period.

A $2.6 billion tender for around 210 tracked fighting vehicles, which involved BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Rheinmetall, was also canceled by the Czech government. The CV-90, an armoured vehicle produced by a Swedish division of BAE Systems, would instead be discussed with the Swedish government, according to Cernochova.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.