Czech Republic negotiates with Sweden to train Ukrainian pilots

The Czech Republic is in talks with Sweden to train Ukrainian pilots on JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets in the Czech Republic.

Radio Prague International reported on this.

A statement was made by Czech Defense Minister Jana Černohová.

She also said that the Czech Ministry of Defense had submitted a draft of a new mandate for training Ukrainian military in the country for interagency discussion.

Militarnyi reported that the Swedish government is considering donating JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.

In the spring and early summer of 2023, about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained at the Libavá training ground in Olomouc.

According to the previously adopted decision of the government, the aim was to train about 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of 2023.

The Defense Minister said that the Czech Republic would continue to provide support to Ukraine, in particular in the form of arms supplies.

Although the Czech Republic’s stockpile is dwindling, it is possible to continue transferring weapons to Ukraine in the future, in particular through the supply of new Western equipment to the Czech Army.

“Our equipment [transferred to Ukraine] was not even from the reserves. It was the equipment that we will never use again, and a significant number of military personnel were not even trained to work with it,” the Minister said, adding that there were no spare parts or ammunition for this equipment.

According to Černohová, the compensation for military aid to Ukraine exceeds the amount Czechia spent on its deliveries, resulting in a net gain for the country.

While specific amounts were not disclosed by the minister, she stated that Czechia is in a favorable financial position regarding its military assistance to Ukraine.