A new generation of fighter jets for the Czech Air Force

Gripen! The reasons are obvious... The technological infrastructure, ground crew training, pilot conversion... we already "have" all of that. Switching to any other fighter would mean significant investment in all of these areas. The Gripen is a 4th-generation fighter jet, unlike the F-16 and F-18 which are a generation or half a generation older. What does that mean? More modern avionics, materials. Upgrades can close some of that gap, but not all of it — the overall concept of the aircraft is fixed. Of all the possible offers it appears to be the obvious choice. We could also potentially get the more modern Gripen NG, which would be even more advanced and capable. What's actually standing against the Gripen? The Mirage 2000 (not bad, but it's an older aircraft — a pointless investment), the Rafale (modern, but only used by France), the F-15, F-16, F/A-18 (old concept even in their latest upgrades), the Eurofighter (modern, expensive — unnecessary investment), the F-22 (modern, expensive and belongs to technology the US guards closely — it's virtually out of the question that such a fighter would fly here), the F-35 (modern — for the price of one F-35 you could get two Gripens!). Who knows how it'll turn out — I trust that common sense will win out over lobbying and political power games. Though in our little Cuckoo Land, you never know...