Czech Republic cancels aircraft procurement.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Washington Pulse

Catastrophic floods throughout Europe--causing extensive property damage throughout Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic--prompted Czech Minister of Defense Jaroslav Tvrdik, to announce the likely cancellation of the purchase of 24 Gripen fighters for the Czech air force.

The approximately $3 billion in damages caused by the floods in the Czech Republic has forced the government to rearrange its budgetary priorities, said Petr Janousek, press officer at the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The Gripen--made by Saab Aerospace, of Sweden and BAE...