The Czech Republic is advancing its F-35 acquisition through a series of industrial cooperation agreements with Lockheed Martin. In September 2023, the government approved the purchase of 24 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for approximately $5 billion, with deliveries starting in 2031 and all jets arriving by 2035. The U.S. State Department had cleared the $5.6 billion deal in June 2023.
Lockheed Martin signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the Czech government in January 2024, confirming the Czech Republic as the 18th nation in the global F-35 program. The aircraft will replace 14 leased Saab Gripen jets, whose lease was extended to 2035 for SEK6 billion, reducing the fleet from 14 to 12 aircraft.
Industrial offsets include multiple agreements with Czech companies. In May 2025, at the IDET exhibition, Lockheed Martin signed deals with Aero Vodochody for a composite reconnaissance container adaptable to F-35s, VZLU Aerospace for AI and machine learning in aircraft design and testing, and Vrgineers for VR/MR headsets integrated into pilot training simulations.
Earlier in May 2025, agreements were inked with LOM PRAHA and a consortium of PBS Group, ONE3D, and HiLASE for component production, R&D, training, and maintenance. Overall, 11 projects with Lockheed Martin and 3 with Pratt & Whitney involve 13 Czech firms and universities, valued at over 15 billion Czech crowns. In March 2026, the U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $422.2 million contract for logistics, sustainment, and engineering support through September 2027.