27.07.2008 - Czech chief of staff against purchase of CASA planes - press
In June, Picek sent a report to Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova (the Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) highlighting technical problems of the aircraft, Euro writes.
The general staff said in its earlier analyses the aircraft was unsuitable, it adds.
The military wants to buy three planes CASA C-295M, but the deal has been criticised by the Italian firm Alenia Aeronautica that has offered its own Spartan C-27J.
Besides, the Defence Ministry wants to exchange five redundant Czech L-159s for one newly manufactured plane CASA C-295M.
In April, the government approved a memorandum of understanding with the consortium EADS to this Canada's foreign minister quits ...
CzechRep should allot more to defence - NATO head ... respect.
Picek said that CASA C-295M could not reach Afghanistan without a stopover, which would be vital for the evacuation of wounded troops, and it did not have enough beds for the transportation of the wounded.
Besides, the aircraft is not as fast as rival planes, he added in the report.
Picek said it was dangerous that in the event of an engine failure or if it is hit by hostile fire, "the plane is unable to fly over the mountains in Afghanistan, the place where our mission is being fulfilled and where our troops are stationed."
Euro writes that generals have a number of other reservations, too.
Defence Defence Minister Martin Bartak, who is mostly in charge of strategic bids, said earlier the contract on the purchase of CASA C-295Ms was economically advantageous.
In June, Alenia Aeronautica lodged a complaint with the EC, the Czech anti-monopoly office (UOHS) and the Defence Ministry, challenging the Czech government's decision to buy transport planes for the military from EADS.
Alenia Aeronautica's representatives in the Czech Republic said the planned deal had breached the EU's principles of transparency and no discrimination in placing public orders.
(Ceske Noviny)
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