In Latin it is called signum temporis – memes have become a full-fledged part of diplomatic games on Twitter. In this case, it started with a joke intended to counterbalance the Kremlin’s ‘referenda’ in the occupied Ukrainian territories. The joke was that the Kaliningrad Oblast was to be handed over to the Czech Republic or – in another version – divided between Poland and the Czech Republic, so that our southern neighbors would finally gain access to the sea.
The joke began to live a life of its own, a Twitter profile of Královec, the “former Kaliningrad”, announced that 97.9% of the inhabitants supported the accession to the Czech Republic and the name change in a referendum. In addition, the Russians either did not understand the joke, or considered it an exceptional insult, and began to be indignant on social media, which of course fueled the creation of further memes on this topic even more. They became a clear message to Putin and his fascist camarilla: “We are not afraid of you.”
Vítejte on oficiálním profile Královce 🇨🇿. After the referendum, 97.9% of the citizens of Kaliningrad rozhodlo pro sloučení s Českou republikou a přejmenování of Kaliningrad na Královec.
– Královec 🇨🇿 (@KralovecCzechia) October 4, 2022
Meanwhile, yesterday the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic announced (seriously) that the day before it had sent an inquiry to Washington for the procurement of twenty-four F-35A Lightning II multi-role combat aircraft. Such a document expresses readiness to start formal negotiations. In October, representatives of the Czech Ministry of Defense are to go to the other side of the Atlantic for this purpose.
And here comes the American Embassy in Prague, all in white (and blue and red). In response to a tweet from the ministry, the embassy’s account asked: “Perhaps you wouldn’t need an aircraft carrier as well? 😉 “. This is diplomacy with a grain of salt in 2022. Indeed signum temporis.
Nepotřebovali byste také náhodou letadlovou loď? 😉 https://t.co/sO6pNllA85
– US Embassy Prague 🇺🇸🇨🇿 (@USEmbassyPrague) October 5, 2022
Seriously
On July 20, the Czech government announced that it was going to buy an F-35A to equip two squadrons. The new planes are to replace the currently operated JAS 39C / D Gripen fighters that Prague leased from the Swedes – twelve single-seater JAS 39C and two two-seater JAS 39D – under a contract concluded in 2004.
The head of the Ministry of Defense, Jana Černochová, informed that the Czech Republic wanted to work out an agreement on the purchase of the F-35A by October 1, 2023. An initial technical dialogue was launched last month. Lockheed Martin ensures that it can deliver the first F-35 to Germany in 2026. A waiting period of around four years would be optimal for Prague, considering that the Gripen lease agreement is valid until 2027.
🪖🇨🇿 We heard that the Czechs sent our blocky Gripens to patrol the airspace over #Kralovec 🙆
🌞 Sunny weather, flight goes smoothly 🍻 # KaliningradIsCzechia pic.twitter.com/gbwuJoxYiT– COBI Bricks (@COBI_Bricks) October 5, 2022
In addition to Swedish fighters, Vzdušné síly also owns sixteen Aero L-159A ALCA light combat aircraft. It is not known whether they would end their service with the Gripens. Ultimately, financial considerations will most likely decide.
In terms of the modernization of aviation, Armáda České republiky takes a clear turn towards the Americans. In 2019, Prague ordered four Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and eight multi-role UH-1Y Venom helicopters. In August this year, it was announced that the US would provide the Czech Republic with six AH-1Z and two UH-1Y as part of the Excess Defense Articles program. The donation is to be a compensation for the Mi-24W attack helicopters delivered to Ukraine.
See also: Chinese nuclear-powered torpedo – journalistic duck or not?
US Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon Roberson
