The Czech Republic ministry of defence is to make a contribution worth tens of millions of dollars to NATO's Strategic Air Transport section, as it is unable to meet an earlier pledge to assign three Antonov An-70 transport aircraft to the command.
Prague in 2002 accepted a Russian offer to deliver the An-70s as part of a debt repayment programme worth $700 million, and later proposed assigning the aircraft in support of NATO operations. However, with Russia now conceding that the An-70s will not be available for delivery until at least 2006, the NATO proposal has been shelved. The Czech Republic has not expanded its transport aircraft capability since joining the alliance in 1999, and still operates a small fleet of around six An-24 and An-26 turboprops.
Following the delay to the Russian-Ukrainian An-70 project, the Czech Republic was offered the delivery of three Ilyushin Il-76MF transports, but rejected this deal in favour of a $180 million package to acquire 18 Mil Mi-17 transport and 11 Mi-24 assault helicopters. The proposed deal is now the subject of a police inquiry, amid allegations that the Il-76MFbid was not properly evaluated.
LUBOMIR SEDLAK / PRAGUE
Source: Flight International
