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Czech Republic suggests launching Central European pilots training center

Xinhua, January 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky on Thursday suggested launching a joint Central European center for training the Gripen fighter pilots, in which not only Czech but also Slovak and Hungarian pilots can be trained.

After a meeting with his Swedish counterpart Peter Hultqvist, Stropnicky said Slovakia's decision to buy the Swedish-made Gripens would markedly enhance the plan.

The Czech air force has been using the jets for several years, while Slovakia and Hungary have shown interest in launching a joint pilots training center.

In order to modernize its air force, Slovakia has been discussing the possibility of purchasing Gripens. Hultqvist is set to visit Slovakia for further discussions after his Czech trip.

The Czech Republic hopes Slovakia will buy the Gripen fighters to allow for both countries to protect their airspace jointly. Trilateral negotiations in this respect have been underway between Sweden, the Czech Republic and Slovakia for several months.

Czech Chief-of-Staff Petr Pavel previously mentioned a possible similar cooperation with Slovenia, Croatia, Austria and Baltic countries. Endit