The Iraqi government intends to buy
Czech-made Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced trainer/light-attack jets,
Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Thursday in Prague after
talks with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas, local TV reported.
"Further talks about purchasing the L-159
will take place on Friday between the Iraqi and Czech defense
ministries," he said. Talks about an L-159 purchase between Baghdad and
Prague have been underway for at least three years, acording to Defense
Industry Daily.
The Czech government hopes to sell Iraq up
to 24 of the jets, which Defense Industry Daily says are used aircraft
which were operated for a short time by the Czech Air Force. Iraq used
to operate the jet's predecessor, the L-39 Albatros.
The L-159 can be armed with Sidewinder
missiles, targeting pods and laser-guided air-to-surface weapons, and
can operate from austere airstrips, the daily says.
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