05-10-2023, 10:16 PM
Czech Republic president quoted as saying they are considering providing L159 light fighters to Ukraine
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/cze...023-05-10/
Hadn't heard much about this airframe but seems it could make some sense. It is the newer version of the L59, which Ukraine already operates as a trainer, so their pilots and maintainence crews should have some familiarity. It is compatible with some NATO weapons, including Aim9s, AGM-65 Mavericks which should be plentiful, though don't have the range to be true game changers. There are reports it was designed to be AMRAAM compatible, but unclear if this was implemented.
The main limitation would be numbers, only 72 were ever made and many of those were exported. Czech republic reportedly operates 24 currently.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/cze...023-05-10/
Hadn't heard much about this airframe but seems it could make some sense. It is the newer version of the L59, which Ukraine already operates as a trainer, so their pilots and maintainence crews should have some familiarity. It is compatible with some NATO weapons, including Aim9s, AGM-65 Mavericks which should be plentiful, though don't have the range to be true game changers. There are reports it was designed to be AMRAAM compatible, but unclear if this was implemented.
The main limitation would be numbers, only 72 were ever made and many of those were exported. Czech republic reportedly operates 24 currently.