Iraq to Buy Aero Vodochody L-159 Fighters For US$30 Million

Czech government has approved sale of 15 redundant L-159 combat planes to Iraq for 750 million crowns (US$30 million) via Aero Vodochody, Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky announced Monday.

The Czech defense ministry reached an agreement with Aero Vodochody on the supply of L-159 to Iraq at the end of August 2014. The company will first buy the aircraft from the Czech military and then resell them to Iraq. Aero Vodochody will ensure that the planes are operable and fitted with further equipment and ammunition. It will also oversee the training of pilots and ground staff.

Of the 15 L-159 fighters designated for the Iraqi military, 11 are inactive and four have been used by Czech soldiers. Ten of the fighters are one-seat and two are two-seat, the other three planes will be dismantled to provide spare parts.

Czech has been trying to sell the redundant L-159s for many years.