Slovakia will delay a proposed subsonic combat aircraft purchase until later this year so that it can be included in a broad reassessment of defence needs.
The eastern European nation plans to acquire four batches of 12 subsonic trainer/light attack aircraft over the next 10 years to replace a range of elderly Soviet-era types. Slovakia requires significant offset and contenders are expected to include the Aero Vodochody L-159, possibly combined with upgrades of Slovakia's L-39 trainers; the BAE Systems Hawk 100/ 200, and potentially the Aermacchi MB339 or M346.
Slovak defence minister Josef Stanak says the government's move to push back a decision on the purchase until November will allow consideration of the light attack aircraft along with a wider modernisation programme for the armed forces. A request for proposals had been expected this month. Slovakia is rebuilding its defence capabilities as part of its campaign to join NATO in the next round of enlargement.
The Czech Republic defence ministry is holding talks with Aero seeking compensation for the late delivery of L-159s. The defence minister's office says the air force should have received 21 single-seat L-159s by the end of last year but by last week had received no more than 12. "We need the aircraft and we paid for them on time, now we must talk to Aero about the future," it says. It adds that 25 fighters should be delivered this year, but the air force is unlikely to have more than 46L-159s in service by the end of this year. The delays are forcing the air force to continue flying older Soviet types that are more expensive to operate than the L-159. The issue is exacerbated as the L-159 is consuming 80% of the Czech Republic's defence procurement budget. The defence minister's office says talks are continuing and Aero has been offered a price for the next batch of aircraft, which will be taken to an arbitrator in order to reach agreement.Source: Flight International
