Get all the coverage from Farnborough air show on our dedicated landing page
Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody is looking forward to its L-159 light attack aircraft taking part in a Red Flag-series exercise in the USA for the first time.
The aircraft is going to be used by contractor Draken International as an aggressor during the exercise, which will pit it against a number of different US Air Force fighters, as well those from other allied forces.
“I believe that the future participation of Draken and the L-159 at Red Flag will give a lot of visibility to the L-159 and the capability of the aircraft,” Aero Vodochody chief executive Giuseppe Giordo said at the Farnborough air show.
At the previous Farnborough air show in 2014, Draken announced that it was buying up to 28 L-159Es, with options on a further 14. Under the deal, Aero Vodochody acquired the jets from the Czech government and sold them on to Draken following refurbishment.
Asked about future sales of the L-159, Giordo says that the manufacturer is “just starting discussions” with Draken, but would not be drawn on the likelihood of a new sale of the type.
Aero Vodochody has also played a role in the sale of 10 L-159s to Iraq for use in the ground-attack role. Two of the aircraft have been delivered already, with the remainder to be transferred by the end of the year.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that there are 27 L-159s in service around the world – mostly with the Czech air force – and 43 in storage.
Source: Flight Daily News
