- Title: The Czech Republic presents new L-159 light subsonic attack jets
- Date: 31st March 2017
- Summary: VODOCHODY, CZECH REPUBLIC (MARCH 31, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ENTRANCE TO "AERO VODOCHODY" L-159 LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT PARKED PRIME MINISTER BOHUSLAV SOBOTKA ARRIVING AT HANGAR MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CZECH PRIME MINISTER, BOHUSLAV SOBOTKA, SAYING: "We (the Czech government) are ready - in the framework of our pro-export activities - to export L-159 and other Aero Vodochody products to the world." SOBOTKA AND CZECH OFFICIALS WALKING TOWARDS AIR SHOW L-159 LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT FLYING OFFICIALS WATCHING FLIGHT VARIOUS OF L-159 AIRCRAFT FLYING L-159 PARKED AT HANGAR OLD L-159 MODEL FROM 2004 VARIOUS OF PRIME MINISTER BOHUSLAV SOBOTKA EXAMINING THE NEW L-159 AIRCRAFT (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CZECH PRIME MINISTER, BOHUSLAV SOBOTKA SAYING: "We gave support to Iraq in its fight against ISIL, we supplied them with ammunition and weapons, we enabled the supply of the L-159 aircraft and if Iraq is interested in the future in buying this kind of aircraft, then I think the investment of the Czech Republic into the Czech-Iraq defence cooperation will return."
- Embargoed: 14th April 2017 15:43
- Keywords: jets L-159
- Location: VODOCHODY, CZECH REPUBLIC AND UNKNOWN
- City: VODOCHODY, CZECH REPUBLIC AND UNKNOWN
- Country: Czech Republic
- Topics: Defence,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016AAILO9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Czech firm Aero Vodochody presented its new version of the L-159 subsonic fighter plane on Friday (March 31), thirteen years after its first model was launched.
The largest aviation manufacturer in the Czech Republic, one of the oldest aerospace companies in the world, hopes this new version of the L-159 turns into their future flagship.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka attended the presentation.
The L-159 is a light combat aircraft designed for a variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground and reconnaissance missions.
The aircraft is equipped with a state-of-the-art multi-mode radar for all-weather, day and night operations and "can carry a wide range of NATO standards stores including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and laser guided bombs," according to the company.
The Czechs have tried to sell their planes in the past, but the deals did not always end successfully.
An attempt to sell Iraq 28 of the aircraft fell through in 2013 when Baghdad agreed to buy South Korea's FA-50 planes instead.
The planes were aimed at strengthening the air power of the Iraqi government to battle Islamic State insurgents as well as serving as showcase for the Czech arms' producer, which wants to expand its exports. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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