Czech, Swedish defmins start talks on Gripen fighters´ lease extension

Czech and Swedish defence ministers Alexandr Vondra and Sten Tolgfors started discussing the possible extension of the lease contract for 14 Swedish Jas-39 Gripen fighters on the sidelines of a NATO defence ministerial in Brussels on Friday. Under a 2004 contract, the Czech army will be using the Gripens until 2015. The lease of the fighters cost 19.6 billion crowns. Vondra said the costs related to the possible extended use would be of primary importance.