Czech Republic, Switzerland eye A400M lease
from Germany
By Ryan Maass | Feb. 14, 2017 at 4:35 PM
Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The armed forces of the
Czech Republic and Switzerland may lease A400M military transport planes from
Germany.
The move was announced by Czech military
leaders, who say the motion is still awaiting approval from Berlin. Defense
News reports the lease is being considered as officials in Prague deliberate
how to upgrade and expand the country's airlifter fleet.
"We expect that, in the coming weeks or
months, we will obtain a concrete proposal to cooperate from the German side,
and subsequently, it will be internally analyzed by the ministry," Czech
defense ministry spokesman Petr Medek told local media.
The Czech Republic is eyeing Lockheed
Martin's C-130 Hercules and Embraer's KC-390 aircraft as permanent purchases.
The country's military currently operates 17 transport aircraft, including
Soviet-era Yakovlev Yak-40 planes.
Berlin's potential deal with the Swiss and
Czech governments was announced as Germany investigates technical issues with
its own Airbus A400M fleet. According to Germany-based English-language
newspaper Deutsche Welle, an A400M carrying German Defense Minister Ursula von
der Leyen broke down on the tarmac during a visit to Lithuania.
During the investigation, engineers uncovered
an oil leak in one of the plane's four engines.
Earlier in February, RT reported only one of
Germany's eight A400M planes is currently operational. Three of the planes have
been grounded for unscheduled repairs, with an additional two set for further
inspection.
Original post: upi.com
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