Air Force Modernisation in Czechia: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

On April 24, the CENTREPEACE project hosted a public lecture at the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, focusing on a timely and important topic: Air Force Modernisation in Czechia – Financial and Institutional Challenges.

The guest speaker was Dr. Thomas-Durell Young, an expert in defense planning and institutional reform. He works at the Europe Center for Civil-Military Relations at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and has advised countries including Estonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro on modernizing their defense systems. He also serves as a Staff Consultant at the RAND Corporation.

His lecture focused on the Czech Republic’s plan to acquire F-35 stealth fighter jets, some of the most advanced aircraft in the world. This step would mark a major leap in the modernization of the Czech Air Force and align the country with the latest defense standards across Europe and beyond.

Dr. Young presented both the benefits and challenges of this decision. Among the key issues he outlined:

• Are they the right fit? It’s important to ask whether these high-tech jets are suitable for the types of missions Czechia typically undertakes.
• Infrastructure upgrades: Airbases and support systems will need to be adapted to handle these new aircraft.
• Data and cybersecurity: The F-35 collects vast amounts of sensitive data, which must be securely stored and protected.
• Training and maintenance: Pilots require at least 180 hours of training to operate the F-35, and maintenance costs are expected to be high.

At the same time, Dr. Young highlighted several strategic advantages. The F-35 is already used by many NATO and EU countries, which enables easier cooperation, improved coordination during joint missions, and simpler access to spare parts. This could significantly strengthen Czechia’s role in European security.

It was highly insightful to gain an understanding of the mindset required during transformative periods such as this—when the acquisition of the F-35s marks the most significant military investment in the history of the Czech Air Force, with implications reaching beyond technology to include comprehensive organizational and strategic reforms.

The lecture concluded with a discussion on broader global and regional security topics, including the Russia–Ukraine war, U.S.–European defense cooperation, China’s military and air power posture, and the current state of European security.