AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE, with the support of the Czech Ministry of Defence, offered to Slovak side long-term cooperation in training of Slovak tactical pilots in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on the new L-39NG training aircraft, an important part of which is significant industrial cooperation. On 11 June 2020, representatives of the Czech aircraft manufacturer presented strategic cooperation to Slovak delegation led by new MoD Jaroslav NaÄ and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, General Daniel Zmek. The Czech Ministry of Defence was represented by Tomáš KopeÄný, Deputy MoD and Director of the Section for Industrial Cooperation.
The Slovak Republic is significantly modernizing its air force, the main part of which is a replacement of old MiG-29s aircraft by American F-16s. Such reorganization is connected with a number of following steps, including the building of a modern and effective training program for military tactical pilots. Aero Vodochody, as a traditional partner of the Slovak Air Force, presented an offer for the supply of eight modern L-39NG training jet aircraft. The offer includes significant industrial cooperation with strong involvement of Slovak companies in the production of structural parts of the new aircraft, in further development of the L-39NG project, in logistic support, and in building a ground training system.
The key element of the long-term cooperation between the two countries and AERO Vodochody is the preparation of a training concept for the Air Force of the Slovak Armed Forces on the L-39NG platform including comprehensive ground training system. The Czech Republic is able to offer tactical simulation training on both L-39 and F-16 in its Tactical Simulation Centre in Pardubice. The strategic cooperation with Aero Vodochody and the Czech Republic will maintain flight training capabilities and ensure the building of a new, completely modern training system and training squadron for basic and advanced training provided by trained Slovak L-39NG instructors directly in Slovakia. This will significantly reduce the need of expensive pilot training in the USA.
The L-39NG aircraft is a modern and effective light jet capable to serve in a role of light attack and/or unified, comprehensive training system for modern air forces. The L-39NG is based on the aerodynamic concept of the current L-39 with optimized features to reduce resistance and increase efficiency and utilizes the latest technologies and equipment. Power is provided by the modern FJ44-4M engine supplied with the TAP Blue engine support service to ensure unprecedented airworthiness and predictable maintenance costs. The L-39NG is equipped with five hard-points for weapons. The aircraft also features a broad range of simulation technologies, including the integration into high-tech tactical simulation centres with the goal to increase training efficiency.
