The Hungarian Air Force received its first three L-39NG Skyfox aircraft from the Czech company AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE. They will be used to train fighter pilots.
According to Hungarian officials, the new training aircraft are part of a pilot training program that includes a modern simulator center at the Kecskemét airbase, described as "unique in Hungary and the region." In the future, the program is to be integrated with the corresponding NATO pilot training system in Europe.
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Although the high-tech training center sounds promising, it is unlikely that Hungary will cooperate with Ukraine in this area in the near future. Perhaps the situation will change after the upcoming elections in the country, but it is too early to draw any definitive conclusions.
AERO Vodochody notes that the L-39NG aircraft are part of a comprehensive training system that includes simulators, ground support equipment, and operational support. Currently, three Hungarian pilot instructors and sixteen technicians have successfully completed training at the manufacturer's facility. Approximately 100 training flights were conducted.
As for the delivery schedule, Hungary signed a contract for the purchase of 12 aircraft in April 2022. The agreement includes eight aircraft configured for training, four configured for reconnaissance, as well as related equipment, spare parts, and simulators.
For Ukraine, this news could serve as an example for updating its own aviation fleet. The Ukrainian Air Force operates aging L-39C Albatros aircraft inherited from the Soviet era, which, despite repairs and upgrades, are becoming increasingly obsolete.
The issue of a possible replacement was considered even before russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but no significant decisions were made. In 2023, discussions resumed amid rumors that the Czech Republic might transfer L-159 light combat aircraft, which are derivatives of the L-39C, to Ukraine as military aid, and possibly even launch joint production of another derivative, the F/A-259.
Although none of the offers have yet been implemented, in May 2025 it was announced that Ukraine and the Czech Republic would establish a joint training center for F-16 pilots.
Although the transfer of the L-39NG has never been formally discussed, this aircraft is far better suited for training purposes than the L-159T or the F/A-259. At present, Ukraine lacks the resources to implement such an upgrade, but options for the future remain open.
In addition to Hungary, which waited nearly three years for its first batch of aircraft from AERO Vodochody, several other countries have also ordered the L-39NG. For example, Vietnam signed an agreement in 2021 to order 12 aircraft, with the first flight taking place in 2023 and the order fully completed by early 2025. The Czech Republic also ordered four additional aircraft in 2022, with the first flight occurring in the summer of 2024.
It is clear that although the delivery pace of new Czech training and combat aircraft is not the fastest, purchasing them for Ukraine would be feasible if desired. However, there are currently no funds available in the country, and the project remains a low priority amid the ongoing full-scale war.
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