Czech News Agency
April 18, 2014
Prague offers fighter jets, 300 troops for NATO country’s defence
Prague: The Czech Republic can provide four Gripen fighter jets and 300 troops for reinforced protection of NATO member countries because of the Ukrainian crisis, Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky told CTK Thursday.
“If NATO asks for it, we are ready to provide four Gripen fighters to reinforce the protection of the Baltic airspace or the Russian-Ukrainian border and 300 troops who are selected for NATO Response Force,” Stropnicky said.
NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Wednesday the defence of allied countries will be strengthened. He said the Ukrainian crisis is a wake-up call for Europe to increase defence spending.
NATO wants to more protect the airspace over the Baltic states, reinforce its naval presence in the Baltic Sea and the eastern Mediterranean.
NATO says Russia has moved tens of thousands of soldiers to the border with Ukraine.
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