The Czech government has given Aero Vodochody until the end of next year to secure an international order for the L-159 combat aircraft. The government is also due to decide by the end of September on the future of its 65% holding in the company.
The ultimatum is part of a government guarantee of a $300 million credit line from a consortium of banks. The Czech government recently said it intends to reduce the air force's L-159 inventory to 18 aircraft. It ordered 72 and the surplus will be put up for sale.
Czech Republic foreign minister Cyril Svoboda has denied local press reports that the USAir Force could buy 50 surplus L-159s, or act as broker for a third party, possibly India or Israel. In return, Prague would lease 14 ex-US Lockheed Martin F-16s.
Source: Flight International
