The Czech government is discussing the transfer of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine: what kind of equipment is this?
Фото: wikimedia
In Prague, the Czech Republic’s three-party ruling coalition is discussing the possibility of transferring L-159 aircraft to Ukraine, which has sparked debate among some politicians. One consequence is that some coalition members have stated their position against such a transfer and sale of these aircraft.
This is reported by Ukrinform .
On the eve of a government meeting in Prague, the Czech Republic’s three-party ruling coalition held a meeting at which one of the issues was the potential transfer of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine. An Ukrinform correspondent covered this topic.
The head of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and speaker of the lower house of parliament, Tomio Okamura, spoke out against the transfer and sale of L-159 aircraft to Kyiv.
“I do not agree with the sale, there are factual and professional reasons. These aircraft, these types of weapons have a very small residual value, negligible compared to the purchase price. At the same time, the combat value is relatively high,” said Tomio Okamura.
According to Okamura, L-159s are also needed to strengthen Czech air defenses, and therefore their transfer may be disadvantageous to the country’s defense capabilities.
The party member also noted that Defense Minister Jaromir Zuna, who is a member of the SPD, is also against the sale of these aircraft. According to Okamura, information about the discussion of the aircraft topic became known as a result of a leak, which, in his opinion, was partially distorted by the Ukrainian media, after which this news was reprinted by the Czech media.
Czech President Petr Pavel said that the issue of transferring the L-159 has been discussed for six months and that the Ukrainian side needs these aircraft. According to him, it is the proposal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the possible purchase of these aircraft that could speed up the process.
The L-159 ALCA aircraft is a Czech light multi-role combat and combat training aircraft, developed by Aero Vodochody based on previous models of the L-39/59 family and is in service with the Czech Air Force.
These aircraft are designed to support ground units, conduct reconnaissance missions, and train pilots, and can also perform combat missions.
The L-159 is equipped with an F124-GA-100 turbofan engine, modern avionics, including the FIAR Grifo L radar, and has the ability to carry various weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, aircraft guns, and bombs.
The main characteristics of the L-159 include:
- single and double-seat versions for combat and training missions;
- length about 12.72 m;
- wingspan of about 9.54 m;
- maximum speed up to approximately 936 km/h;
- combat payload up to approximately 2,340 kg.
Such aircraft can be used to combat aerial threats, including drones, as well as to provide air support for ground operations.
The day before, Poland agreed to transfer less than ten MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of military assistance to protect against full-scale Russian aggression.
It was previously reported that the United Kingdom plans to develop new Nightfall ballistic missiles with warheads weighing 200 kilograms for Ukraine.
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