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Czechs turn down F-16 offers

December 18, 2003 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Czech government has decided to begin negotiations over the lease of 14 Anglo-Swedish Gripen fighter planes to replace their old Soviet-built MiG-21s, in preference to F-16 Fighting Falcons.
This is the second time the Czechs have chosen to go for the Gripen, with an option to return them after five years.

The Gripens are relatively cheap and technologically up-to-date, without being excessively sophisticated. According to a Czech newspaper, the Swedish offer only narrowly beat a Belgian proposal involving updated F-16 MLU (Mid-Life Update) aircraft.

Last year, the Czech government cancelled a plan to buy Gripen fighters, claiming it could no longer afford the cost after that summer's serious floods.

The idea now is to lease 14 aircraft, but Wednesday's decision is not a firm commitment - only a decision to begin negotiations.