Czech Air Force does not fly most of its serviceable L-159 light combat aircraft due to a shortage of pilots and spare parts. This comes amid government refusals to transfer or sell them to Ukraine for countering russian drones.
Respekt publication learned this after speaking with military personnel and representatives of the Czech Ministry of Defense. It is reported that of 16 aircraft, four have been stored in hangars for an extended period, though one is reportedly currently undergoing restoration.
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This leaves 12 flight-ready L-159s, but only four units are actively used just a quarter of the total fleet. A major reason cited is the lack of pilots, as not all staff positions are filled, and priority in staffing is given to JAS 39 Gripen units.
Czech military personnel even joke that they spend more time lubricating and servicing parts than flying, as the annual norm of 150 flight hours translates to only approximately 80 in practice. There are also doubts about whether resources will be available for the regular major overhauls required every eight years.
Defense Express notes that this information only reinforces the earlier statement by Czech Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka, who said that supplying L-159s to Ukraine would not harm defense capabilities. Indeed, if most of the fleet is barely used anyway, their transfer would not be such a major problem.
At the same time, it is highly doubtful that details about aircraft combat readiness will ultimately lead the Czech government to sell four aircraft. Recent details have surfaced confirming the purely political nature of the issue, in which a categorical refusal was given.
Despite all this, Ukraine appears not to have abandoned attempts to negotiate the purchase or receipt of Czech combat aircraft. And if the L-159 option does not work out, the question may shift to new L-39NG Skyfox aircraft, which the manufacturer offers to deliver as early as 2027.
Countering russian drones remains an important issue for protecting Ukrainian skies. For these tasks, both F-16 fighters with APKWS missiles and even civilian An-28 transport aircraft are used.
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