Agence France-Presse,
Prague called for US help to modernise its armed forces in return for its cooperation with Washington's anti-missile radar plan, a Czech minister told public television on Monday.
“We have asked the US for cooperation in the acquisition of two mid-range tactical transport plans and that should be raised in the framework of anti-missile defence negotiations,” Martin Bartak told Czech Television.
The Czech request for military help would not form part of previous deals signed during the NATO summit in Budapest earlier this month, the broadcaster said.
It is the first time that the Czech government has detailed what they want in return for helping the United States with its controversial system.
Until now, Prague has only demanded research and technical cooperation with Washington as a sweetener for hosting the radar system.
The US says wants it to operate together with interceptor missiles in neighbouring Poland to defend against missile attacks from countries it regards as “rogue states” such as Iran.
Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek even criticised Poland in March for having requested US help to modernise its army as part of its own anti-missile defence negotiations.
Russia has strongly opposed the installations, which would lie in what was the former Soviet Union's sphere of influence. Moscow is worried that the system could pose a threat to its own security.
The Czech Republic and US signed a diplomatic deal over the radar at the NATO summit in Bucharest.
Together with another accord over US soldiers sited at the base, it still has to be approved by the Czech parliament.
But Topolanek's centre-right coalition cannot be certain of winning a majority for the agreement.
