The Czech Republic, an EU and NATO member of 10.9 million people, has been using single- and two-seat Gripens made by Sweden's Saab since 2005.

In 2023, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, Prague decided to buy 35 US-made F-35 fighter jets for $6.5 billion, which are scheduled to arrive by 2035.

"The extended use of Gripens will help us bridge the period when fifth-generation F-35 jets are gradually introduced," the defence ministry said in a statement.

The previous lease extension approved in 2014 is due to expire in 2027.

Wednesday's announcements came as a NATO summit in The Hague approved an increase in defence spending by member states to five percent of gross domestic product by 2035.

The ministry said Prague will pay 6.012 billion Swedish kroner ($630 million) "for the lease of 12 Gripen fighters, their maintenance and pilot training".

The ministry also said it would buy 24 Titus armoured vehicles made by France's Nexter and local truck maker Tatra, and 24 MARS armoured vehicles.

The Titus deal, including driver training, is worth four billion Czech koruna ($187 million).

The Czech army is already using 62 Titus vehicles and the new ones will be adapted based on experience learned from the war in Ukraine, the ministry said.

The Czech-made MARS vehicles will carry Saab's RBS NG 70 air-defence system. That contract is worth 1.86 billion Swedish kroner.

The announcements came as Wednesday's NATO summit in The Hague approved an increase in defence spending by member states to five percent of gross domestic product by 2035.

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