New customers would best be able to order up to 34 training and light combat machines. According to available data, their price ranges between 13 and 15 billion crowns. Another dozen planes worth more than five billion are already produced by the Vodochody factory for Vietnam, the export was insured by the state insurance company EGAP last year.

“The new generation L-39NG aircraft is extremely unique – it can be technologically adapted to both the western and eastern markets,” said Omnipol CEO Jozef Piga about one of the main competitive advantages. Piga drew attention to the L-159 fighter developed in the 1990s, which was designed primarily for Western customers. However, they were not interested in it with the American company Draken International.

The L-39NG is a continuation of the very successful Albatros aircraft, which took off from the Vodochod 2900 in the past. Due to the company’s financial problems, a replacement for the obsolete training L-39C Albatros has been negotiated for several years.

“We could conclude a contract for the management of four new L-39NG aircraft this year. It will also include the option to purchase another four machines, “said LOM Director Jiří Protiva.

The contract was dealt with by the government in 2019, but was not completed. Protiva added that after last year’s change of owner Aero, which together with Omnipol was controlled by the Hungarian financier Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, communication improved and intensified.

The Pardubice center urgently needs a new L-39NG. Due to the high demand for jet training, LOM does not want to lose clients due to fleet restrictions. “I believe that the center could get new aircraft between 2024 and 2026. We have already negotiated with banking institutions to secure a loan,” Protiva said.

Aero also has a great chance in Hungary, whose army pilots tested the L-39NG a year ago. The owners of the Vodochody factory are convinced that the deal could be closed in a matter of months. However, he does not want to comment on the number of machines or the financial volume until the contract is signed.

“Our potential customers usually require eight to twelve aircraft in the first batch,” Omnipol President Jiří Podpěra told the E15 daily some time ago.

Exports to Ghana are also promising. The local parliament approved the purchase of six L-39NG aircraft for the needs of the Ghanaian Air Force. “In the face of growing terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, it is important that we rearm the air force with modern machines in order to improve its offensive capabilities,” said Defense Committee Chairman Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

The acquisition includes support products for aircraft operations, spare parts and training for pilots and ground staff. The value of the contract is to reach 111 million euros, almost 2.8 billion crowns. The Ghanaian Air Force convincingly previous experience with Czech aircraft from Aero, more precisely with twelve L-29 Delfín and three L-39 Albatross.

Customers and those interested in L-39NG (number of pieces)

Vietnam 12, the contract is signed, the export insured EGAP
Hungary 8 to 12, quantity not confirmed
Slovakia 8, Aero Vodochody offered strategic cooperation
Ghana 6, the treaty was approved by the Ghanaian parliament
LOM Prague 4, the contract is to have an option for another four machines

Search source E15

How is the L-39NG different from the L-39 Albatross

The new generation of training and light combat aircraft L-39NG has a modified fuselage compared to the original Albatros, new wings with an integral fuel tank, modern instrumentation and a new power unit, the American Williams FJ44-4M engine. The aircraft can carry weapons, including a rocket and a bomb on five hangers, four of which are under the wings and one under the fuselage.