Czechia eyes supplying Ukraine with 16 L-39 Skyfox light combat jets

Czechia could supply Ukraine with up to 16 Aero Vodochody L-39 Skyfox jets, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček told reporters in Kyiv on November 11, 2026. 

Havlíček, who was leading a Czech business mission to Ukraine, said four aircraft had previously been confirmed and that he had discussed the supply of another 12 with Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi.  

The talks had produced a “preliminary confirmation” that the additional aircraft could be supplied, according to the Czech News Agency (ČTK). 

Skyfox emerges after Czechia rejects L-159 transfer 

The discussions follow Ukraine’s earlier attempt to acquire four L-159 ALCA light combat aircraft from the Czech Air Force to counter Russian drones.  

President Petr Pavel raised the prospect of a transfer during a visit to Kyiv on January 16, 2026. Three days later, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš ruled out selling or donating the jets, saying the armed forces needed them. 

Aero Vodochody has said it can no longer build new L-159s because some components are unavailable. In January 2026, the manufacturer offered the Skyfox as an alternative. 

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L-39 Skyfox production capacity and deliveries 

Czech Air Force Aero L-39NG Skyfox. (Credit: castigatio / Shutterstock.com)The Skyfox is a two-seat jet trainer and light combat aircraft that succeeds the L-39 Albatros. Aero has delivered the type to Vietnam, Hungary and Czech state-owned company LOM PRAHA. Hungary has received eight of the 12 aircraft it ordered in 2022, with the remaining four due in 2028. 

Aero currently produces approximately 12 Skyfox jets per year. Company executives have said production could increase to 18 annually, potentially providing additional capacity to accommodate a Ukrainian order of up to 16 aircraft. No delivery schedule has been announced. 

Drone Hunter targets lower-cost drone interceptions 

Aero presented a counter-drone configuration, called Drone Hunter, to the Czech public at NATO Days in Ostrava on September 19, 2026. On October 5, 2026, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Thales Belgium to continue integrating and testing 70 mm guided rockets on the aircraft. 

The Drone Hunter configuration does not carry an onboard search radar. Instead, it relies on external sensors for target detection and an electro-optical/infrared pod for identification and targeting. Aero advertises operating costs below €2,000 per flight hour. 

The configuration has not yet been used operationally, and Aero has not announced a customer for it. Havlíček did not specify whether any Skyfox aircraft supplied to Ukraine would be equipped for counter-drone missions. 

Ukraine expands its Western fighter fleet

Ukraine already operates US-designed F-16 fighters and French Mirage 2000-5s, both used for air defense missions. Its Western fighter fleet is set to expand further.

Sweden plans to donate 16 Gripen C/D fighters, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying on November 10, 2026 that the first aircraft could arrive in January or February 2027, possibly February. Ukraine has also signed an agreement to purchase 16 new Gripen E fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2029.

In July 2026, Ukraine announced an initial order for 16 French Rafale fighters. The first four are expected to be transferred after Ukrainian pilots and mechanics complete training in France, with preparations for the training program already underway.

The potential Skyfox acquisition reflects a parallel interest in using lighter combat aircraft for air defense missions that would otherwise fall to more expensive frontline fighters.

Poland has already assigned a similar role to its South Korean-built KAI FA-50GF light combat jets. The aircraft entered Quick Reaction Alert duty on October 1, 2026, with the Polish military identifying Russian jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones among their intended targets.

First KAI FA-50 for Poland. (Credit: KAI)The post Czechia eyes supplying Ukraine with 16 L-39 Skyfox light combat jets appeared first on AeroTime.

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