The Development and Future of Fighter Planes Acquisitions in Countries of The Visegrad Group

In times of raging economic crisis, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland—or the so-called Visegrad countries (V4)—are reevaluating their defense procurements programs. The most visible of them are traditionally acquisitions of fighter planes. However, not only the recent lack of funds but also geopolitical orientation, military ambitions, and corruption must be taken into account when assessing the origin of the planes in the air forces of the V4 countries. Despite the similar time period in which the first round of fighter procurements took place (2002–2005) this article shows that very different approaches and factors influenced the selection process. This resulted in different outcomes both in types of planes and forms of acquisition. The future equipment of fighter fleets also hangs in the balance and is currently a source of considerable debate, which is assessed and summarized in the final chapter of the article.