The Hungarian defense ministry has signed a contract with Czech aerospace company Aero Vodochody for the purchase of 12 new L-39NG trainers.
The first of the 12 jet trainers is set to be delivered in 2024, according to the company.
Aero Vodochody confirmed the contract on April 21 after Hungary’s government commissioner Gáspár Maróth first revealed the order on April 20. Maróth said eight of the aircraft would be used for pilot training, while the other airframes would serve as reconnaissance aircraft.
Neither the Czech company nor the Hungarian official revealed the financial details of the purchase.
Aero noted that with this contract in place, it now has 30 new L-39NG aircraft on order.
The L-39NG (Next Generation) builds upon the successful L-39 and incorporates features to reduce resistance and increase efficiency. Power is provided by the FJ44-4M engine while the avionics provide the means to train future pilots of 4th and 5th generation aircraft. The L-39NG is also equipped with five hard-points for weapons.
