Ruling coalition rejects sale of L-159 fighter jets to Ukraine

The ANO, SPD and Motorists coalition has decided that Czechia will not sell L-159 aircraft to Ukraine. SPD leader Tomio Okamura said after a meeting of coalition leaders that while the jets have low residual value, their combat value remains high. He added that replacing them would cost far more than any sale and that the army still needs the aircraft.

President Petr Pavel said on Sunday that Ukraine had proposed buying the L-159s, calling it an opportunity for Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody. He added that providing four aircraft from the army’s fleet of twenty-four would pose an acceptable level of risk.

Okamura emphasized that the jets are not surplus equipment but part of the Czech military’s active arsenal, adding that even the general staff had previously questioned whether they should be transferred.