Czechs order 4 Spanish military planes

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, April 20 (UPI) -- The Czech government decided to purchase four Spanish twin-turboprop Casa C-295M military transport planes for $168 million, Prague Radio said.

The Spanish-made transport planes are scheduled to be in full service in the Czech Air Force by 2011, and are to replace outdated Soviet-made Antonov An-26 aircraft, the radio said Monday.

The Casa C-295M planes, with the high-wing and rear-loader design, can use air-strips to handle a cargo of 9,250 kilos.

The Casa planes are already in the service of the Spanish, Finnish and Polish air forces.