Czechs Replacing Their Airlift Fleet
May 06, 2010 13:43 EDT
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Czech KC-390s? (Sept 13/10)
The Czech Republic’s armed forces aren’t large enough to make large foreign commitments, but the country is a frequent participant in NATO missions abroad, and needs airlift capacity for use during domestic emergencies. It currently depends on Soviet-era AN-26 “Curl” aircraft, which are wearing out quickly, and will need to be replaced soon.
“Czech L-159s: Cheap to Good Home” explored one possibility, which involved a trade of the Czechs’ fine light trainer and attack aircraft, in exchange for EADS-CASA C-295M light transports to replace the AN-26s. That turned out to be the Czechs’ preferred option, and a contract was signed. Now the EU is happy to meddle, of course, and is beginning legal action around the deal…
Contracts & Key Events
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Dec 22/10: A ceremony at Prague-Kbely’s 24 Air Transportation Base marks the formal induction of 4 CASA C-295M aircraft into operation, replacing the Czech Republic’s AN-26s. The Czech MoD release adds that:
“According to outgoing commander of the base Colonel Josef Bejdak, notwithstanding all troubles accompanying the acquisition, the aircraft are on the ground and they will contribute to higher transportation safety.”
Sept 13/10: The Brazilian and Czech Ministries of Defence sign an agreement for Aero Vodochody a.s. to cooperate with Embraer on the KC-390. The firm has considerable experience in aerostructure manufacturing, and the Czech defense ministry believes they could end up manufacturing the KC-390’s rear fuselage, doors, and wing leading edges
Specific terms are expected to be signed by the end of 2010, and the Czech Republic is reportedly looking to buy up to 2 KC-390s as a complement to their C-295M fleet. Aero Vodochody | Aviation Week | Brahmand | Flight International.
May 5/10: The EU’s European Commission:
“The Commission is concerned that the Czech Republic has breached EU public procurement rules by not opening up to EU-wide competition a contract for four military tactical transport aircraft…. The Commission’s request to the Czech Republic takes the form of a reasoned opinion. If the national authorities do not reply satisfactorily within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice…. According to the European public procurement Directive 2004/18/EC, the award of public contracts must be made on the basis of an EU-wide tender procedure…. The Czech authorities considered that no public tendering procedure would be necessary as the aircraft would be used mainly for military missions of the Czech Republic, i.e. for the protection of essential security interests of the State. However, a Member State can elect not to carry out this procedure only if the tendering procedure as such would present a risk for its essential security interests…. As no satisfactory reply was provided on why launching a tender procedure would present a risk to the protection of essential security interests of the State, the Commission has decided to proceed to the second stage of the formal infringement procedure….”
Under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) Member States receive a letter of formal notice seeking information, then a reasoned opinion requiring the Member State to comply with EU law within 2 months. If there is no satisfactory reply, the Commission can refer the matter to the Court of Justice in Luxembourg. If the Court rules against a Member State and the Member State does not comply, the EC can also request that the Court impose a fine.
April 20/09: Under a preliminary agreement with EADS, the Czech government will buy 3 C-295Ms, and exchange 5 L-159s for a 4th aircraft. Flight and ground maintenance training are included in the package, and the deal has been approved by the resigning Czech government. The ministry has reportedly set aside CZK 3.5 billion ($73 million equivalent) for the whole project, with delivery expected between 2009 – 2011.
Later revelations placed the contract’s value at EUR 132 million. Czech MoD [in Czech] | EADS | Ceske Noviny [English] | Reuters | UPI.
Ceske Noviny adds that the Defense Ministry is negotiating with the USA for 4 C-130 Hercules medium tactical transports, with the aim of buying 2 in flyable condition and 2 as a source of spares. This implies that the aircraft would be used C-130E/H models, rather than the new C-130J. The US military recently delivered the first of 5 refurbished C-130Es to Poland.
