Iraqi Government looks to purchase L-159s

Above: A couple of L-159s take-off..

In addition to PM Maliki, the acting Minister of Defence and Minister of Culture Saadun al-Dulaimi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari and the Minister of Trade Khairalla Hasan Babaker were all part of the delegation.

The Iraqi Government has already expressed a serious interest in buying Czech jet fighters and this visit was part of long standing negotiations with the company. Aero has cooperated with the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic on these negotiations.
 
“We have a rich experience of cooperation in L-29 and L-39 programmes and we are here to create at least as successful future collaboration,” said the President of Aero Vodochody, Ladislav Simek. “We are fully committed to fulfil and even exceed all the requirements and expectations of the Republic of Iraq.”
 
The L-159 Advanced Light Combat and Training Aircraft are designed to fulfil a variety of combat missions including air-to-ground, air-to-air and reconnaissance.  Currently, L-159 aircraft serve with the Czech Air Force, which uses them for Close Air Support, Advanced Training and Air Defence missions. L-159s have been participating in numerous NATO exercises, mainly in the air-to-ground role.
 
AERO Vodochody is the largest aerospace manufacturer in the Czech Republic with its heritage stretching back to 1919.