Aero to Deliver Four More L-39 Skyfox Aircraft for Pilot Training

Vodochody, 20. 9. 2025 Aero Vodochody will deliver an additional four L-39 Skyfox aircraft to the state enterprise LOM PRAHA. The delivery is based on an option included in the contract signed in November 2022, under which Aero produced and delivered four Skyfox aircraft. Two of the new aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of this year. The announcement regarding the use of the option was made during NATO Days in Ostrava.

This year has been marked by close cooperation between Aero Vodochody and LOM PRAHA. First, four L-39 Skyfox aircraft were completed and handed over for basic and advanced training of both Czech and foreign pilots. Now, the option for another four aircraft of the same type has been announced. “This declaration from our customer is very important for Aero, as it confirms that the L-39 Skyfox will continue to be a key part of the training platform for 4th and 5th generation fighter pilots,” said Viktor Sotona, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Aero. He added: “We are ready to assemble and complete the first two aircraft, which could be handed over by the end of this year.” The remaining two are scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

“Today, at the NATO Days & Czech Air Force Days, we presented our modernized fleet in new camouflage and announced the exercise of the option to purchase another four L-39 Skyfox aircraft. This step ensures modern training capacities for Czech Air Force pilots and enables us to offer high-quality training to international partners. Through the Pardubice Flight Training Center, we support the Czech aviation industry by using domestically produced aircraft complemented by simulators from our subsidiary VR Group,” said Jiří Protiva, Director of LOM PRAHA.

The L-39 Skyfox meets the strictest alliance standards and is considered a benchmark platform for European pilot training. By exercising the option for four more aircraft, the Czech Republic—through LOM PRAHA—will gain sufficient capacity to participate in NATO pilot training and strengthen joint training capabilities.

The original contract for the first four L-39NG aircraft was signed in November 2022. The first two were delivered from Vodochody Airport in February 2025, with the remaining two handed over in August 2025.

The L-39 Skyfox is a modern multipurpose aircraft capable of covering a wide range of missions, from pilot training to tactical and reconnaissance operations. It represents the most efficient aircraft in its class, available in both Western and Eastern configurations and certified under EU and NATO regulations. This versatile technological platform integrates modern simulation technologies and ground training systems. The Czech-made L-39 Skyfox offers an innovative combination of modern avionics, a powerful jet engine, and excellent flight characteristics, making it a suitable choice for all phases of 4th and 5th generation fighter pilot training, as well as reconnaissance and tactical missions such as cooperation with various ground forces.

AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. focuses on the development, production, maintenance, and modernization of civil and military aircraft. It is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest in the world. In the field of its own aircraft, Aero is a long-term partner to many air forces and holds a strong position in the global market for military training and light combat jets. With over 11,000 aircraft produced in its 100-year history, hundreds of L-39 Albatros aircraft still in service with dozens of military operators and aerobatic teams, and especially with its new L-39 Skyfox, Aero is establishing itself as a global leader in the jet trainer market. In the civil aviation sector, Aero cooperates with leading aircraft manufacturers on a wide range of projects and participates in several risk-sharing programs, taking responsibility not only for manufacturing and assembly but also for development of aircraft components.

Contact:
Lukáš Hora, External Relations & Communications Manager
e-mail: lukas.hora@aero
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