Czech government opposes sale of L-159 jets to Ukraine

The coalition party Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), including Defence Minister Jaromír Zuna, has stated its opposition to the sale of Czech L-159 aircraft to Ukraine.

SPD leader and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, ahead of a meeting of the coalition council, Caliber.Az reports via Czech media.

According to Okamura, despite their low residual value, the aircraft retain high combat capability. Replacing them would cost significantly more than selling them, he said, stressing that these planes are part of the Czech Army’s operational arsenal, not decommissioned equipment. He added that even the General Staff had previously expressed doubts about the advisability of transferring the aircraft to Ukraine.

“The cost of acquisition is very high, while the residual value represents only a fraction of that. We would still have to purchase aircraft again,” Okamura said.

Earlier, President Petr Pavel stated that Ukraine had proposed purchasing the L-159 aircraft and that transferring four out of 24 planes would represent an acceptable level of risk. However, Okamura stressed that the government does not support this move and is not prepared to spend funds on arming Ukraine. Defence Minister Zuna also holds a negative position on the issue.

According to Ukrainian media, Pavel discussed in Ukraine the possible supply of several light aircraft for drone defence, as well as early warning systems and generators in case of power outages.

On January 18, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said on Czech Television that the president had not discussed this proposal with the government.

President Petr Pavel rejected the criticism, noting that negotiations with Ukraine have been ongoing for at least six months and that the current discussions are a continuation of earlier contacts, including Foreign Minister Petr Macinka’s visit to Ukraine.

By Khagan Isayev