Iraq buys 28 Czech L-159s

"I am glad I can announce that we have agreed upon delivery of 28 pieces of L-159 to Iraqi Air Force," Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra said at the press conference held at the end of talks with his Iraqi counterpart.
 
Both Minister of Defence of the Republic of Iraq Sadoon Al-Dulaimi and Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic Alexandr Vondra informed the media immediately after their return from the Aero Vodochody Company, the manufacturer of L-159 ALCA (Attack Light Combat Aircraft).
 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and his delegation met first with the Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas at the beginning of their visit on 11 October 2012, and confirmed ongoing interest in defence cooperation with the Czech Republic.
 
"Negotiations on the delivery of L-159 - which lasted two years - will significantly contribute both to defence capabilities of Iraq and will help introduce this type of aircraft to other markets", added Minister Vondra.
 
Defence ministers also discussed possible delivery of new small arms from the Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod to Iraq and Czech offer to modernise T-72 tanks of Iraqi Armed Forces.