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Lion Effort int'l exercise of Gripen pilots starts in Czech Republic

Xinhua, May 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Lion Effort international exercise of Gripen fighter jets' pilots started on Monday in the military airport in Caslav, Czech Republic.

The JAS-39 Gripen fighters of the Hungarian and Swedish air forces joined the exercise that began on Monday's afternoon and will run through May 24.

According to Caslav base spokesman Tomas Maruscak, the exercise would be divided into two blocs. All pilots will fly in a coordinated way in the morning program, and the afternoon program will focus on air combat maneuvers and direct air support tasks.

Maruscak said nearly three dozen airplane will have the opportunity to train with air combat tactics and practice techniques and procedures in cooperation.

The exercise of the kind was previously held in Hungary in 2009, and in Sweden in 2012.

In this year's exercise in Czech Republic, Czech air force will send its lightweight fighters L-159, assault helicopters Mi-24, multipurpose helicopters Mi-171 and transport aircraft C-295 CASA to the exercise. The 25th anti-aircraft missile regiment of Strakonice airport will simulate defense against enemy aircraft. German Eurofighter Typhoon and Polish F-16 will also operate from their home bases to support the exercise.

In June 2004, Czech government signed a contract for the lease of 14 Swedish Gripen fighters to replace the outdated Soviet-made MiG-21 aircraft. The first six Swedish fighters arrived in the Czech Republic on April 18, 2005. In 2014, Czech government approved an leasing extension of the Gripens to 2027 with a two-year option. Endit