15 November 2018
A prototype L-39NG was rolled out during a ceremony at Aero Vodochody’s production facility near Prague on 12 October. TheThai MoD has shown interest in acquiring the aircraft, according to Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (photo : Jane's)
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced on 10 November that the Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) has expressed interest in acquiring an undisclosed number of Aero Vodochody L-39NG jet trainers/light-attack aircraft.
“They [the Thais] are interested in our aircraft, the newest generation of aircraft, something which is considered to be hi-tech military technology,” Babis told reporters on 10 November following a meeting in Brussels earlier this month with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Babis is scheduled to visit Thailand in January when he intends to hold further talks with his Thai counterpart regarding the potential sale of the L-39NG, which was formally unveiled in mid-October, and the ongoing trade deficit between the Czech Republic and Thailand, which favours the latter.
According to Jane’s World Air Forces , the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) currently operates 24 L-39ZA Albatros aircraft, some of which are being replaced by 12 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50TH Golden Eagle lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT) ordered in 2015.
First launched at the 2014 Farnborough International Airshow, the L-39NG version of the L-39 Albatross features a more powerful Williams International FJ44-4M engine, a wet wing, a modern cockpit, and a lighter airframe than its predecessor, as Jane’s reported.
(Jane's)
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced on 10 November that the Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) has expressed interest in acquiring an undisclosed number of Aero Vodochody L-39NG jet trainers/light-attack aircraft.
“They [the Thais] are interested in our aircraft, the newest generation of aircraft, something which is considered to be hi-tech military technology,” Babis told reporters on 10 November following a meeting in Brussels earlier this month with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Babis is scheduled to visit Thailand in January when he intends to hold further talks with his Thai counterpart regarding the potential sale of the L-39NG, which was formally unveiled in mid-October, and the ongoing trade deficit between the Czech Republic and Thailand, which favours the latter.
According to Jane’s World Air Forces , the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) currently operates 24 L-39ZA Albatros aircraft, some of which are being replaced by 12 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50TH Golden Eagle lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT) ordered in 2015.
First launched at the 2014 Farnborough International Airshow, the L-39NG version of the L-39 Albatross features a more powerful Williams International FJ44-4M engine, a wet wing, a modern cockpit, and a lighter airframe than its predecessor, as Jane’s reported.
(Jane's)