The Czech Republic state-owned enterprise LOM Praha has ordered four new L-39NG jet aircraft that will be used for basic and advanced training of pilots of the Czech Air Force.
Signed on November 14, the contract will see aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody deliver the first airframe no later than 28 months from the contract signing.
The contract also includes after-sales support or equipment, as well as an option for the acquisition of an additional four airframes.
In addition to the aircraft, the state enterprise will receive special and high-altitude equipment, survival equipment, initial training for pilots and ground personnel, ground equipment, initial sets of spare parts and consumables, flight planning and analysis systems and a ground training system.
The new L-39NG aircraft will be used for basic, advanced and basic combat training, during which the pilot learns the principles of using jet aircraft in the performance of combat tasks.
The acquired aircraft will primarily serve pilots of the Czech Air Force, however, it is also planned to train pilots of other countries in the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) program, under which the Pardubice flight training center has already been certified as one of the first two approved campuses in Europe.
“Excellent experience and positive feedback from domestic users are always the best references for any manufacturer, therefore the state enterprise LOM Praha is a very important customer for us,” Viktor Sotona, president of Aero Vodochody, commented.
“The reason for the acquisition of the L-39NG is to ensure the continuity of the training of tactical air force pilots on subsonic machines in the training center of the state enterprise. The existing L-39C Albatros, which have been operated by the LOM Praha air training center for eighteen years, are reaching the end of their technical life. The acquisition of new aircraft is also an expression of support and cooperation within the Czech defense industry,” said LOM Praha director Jiří Protiva.
The L-39NG is a new generation of the Albatros trainer. It is powered 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.
Aero Vodochody said earlier this year it had already booked orders for 30 airframes, including the 12 aircraft ordered by Hungary in April this year.
