a
World Defense & Security News - Czech Republic and Iraq
 
 
Prague gives green light for sale of 15 L-159 light multi-role combat aircraft to Iraq
 
The Czech Republic has approved the sale of 15 light multi-role combat aircraft to Iraq, the country's defense minister said on Monday, March 9. Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky said his ministry was set to receive 750 million crowns (nearly $30 million) for the L-159 planes.
     
The Czech Republic has approved the sale of 15 light multi-role combat aircraft to Iraq, the country's defense minister said on Monday, March 9. Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky said his ministry was set to receive 750 million crowns (nearly $30 million) for the L-159 planes.
Czech Air Force's L-159
Advanced Light Combat Aircraft
     
Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky said the military will sell the subsonic L-159 planes for 750 million koruna ($30 million) back to the maker, Aero Vodochody, which will then broker a deal with Iraq because the military is banned by law from selling directly. Stropnicky said Monday Aero is expected to repair the planes and deliver them in two or three years. The light combat and training planes were made between 1999 and 2003.

The country has been trying to sell the planes to Iraq for years, Reuters reported. Previous attempts have fallen through when Baghdad agreed to buy the equipment elsewhere.

The deal is subject to approval by the countries whose companies supplied parts used in the L-159.

The Aero L-159 ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft) is a Czech-built multi-role training and combat aircraft. The L-159 ALCA is based on the proven airframe design and aerodynamic configuration of the L39 Albatros and L59 family of basic and advanced jet trainers, and incorporates a high-performance military turbofan engine, advanced avionics and sensors.