The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is considering acquiring the new L-39NG advanced trainer and light attack aircraft from the Czech Republic, according to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
In a publication titled; the Chief of Air Staff Memo to Airmen, the CAS revealed that he had discussed the possibility of continuing upgrading the NAF’s existing fleet of L-39ZA Albatros aircraft and acquiring the new L-39NG aircraft with the Czech Chief of the Air Staff during a visit to Prague in September 2023.
The CAS said that the meeting was part of his efforts to build trust and rapport with strategic partners and share ideas and resources in the areas of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, research and development, and technology transfer.
The L-39NG is a brand-new generation of a modern and cost-effective subsonic jet aircraft developed by Aero Vodochody, the Czech manufacturer of the L-39ZA. The L-39NG features modern avionics systems and the ability to integrate a wide range of payloads, making it a versatile platform suitable for training, reconnaissance and light attack missions.
The L-39NG is also a natural progression of the L-39ZA, which the NAF operates as a trainer and light attack aircraft, in conjunction with the Dassault Alpha jets. Both aircraft will likely be replaced or complemented by the incoming Leonardo M-346 aircraft. Although, Leonardo is yet to confirm the deal, however, Nigerian Air Force leadership has several times mention the business. The NAF purchased 24 L-39ZA aircraft in 1986 to 1987 to replace its aging fleet of eight L-29 Delfín jet trainers and 10 P-149D trainers. The NAF tried to obtain 27 more aircraft in 1991 but the International Monetary Fund vetoed the purchase. Today, only a handful of the aircraft are airworthy.
The L-39NG comes from the original aerodynamic conception of the L-39, but its constructively and technologically modified body is completed with a new wing with an integral fuel tank, modern device equipment and a fuel unit with higher lifetime. According to the manufacturer, one of the benefits of this aircraft are low purchase and operation costs as compared to the more powerful training aircraft of the M-346 or Jak-130 categories. Together with pilot training, the L-39NG is also designed for the performance of combat, patrol and reconnaissance tasks. The L-39NG technological demonstrator, marked as L-39CW, firstly flew up on 14th September 2015 with a crew consisting of factory pilots Miroslav Schützner and Vladimír Kvarda.
The NAF has been modernizing its L-39ZA aircraft with the new Genesys Aerosystems’ avionics systems, under a contract awarded to Aero Vodochody in 2019. The Genesys EFIS is an avionics solution for special-mission aircraft that features a synthetic vision Electronic Flight Instrument System, low-cost analog wing levelers, digital, three-axis systems with Flight Director and envelope protection, IDU-680 smart displays, ADAHRS, and GPS receiver. The Genesys EFIS enhances safety, reduces pilot workload, increases flexibility, and lowers cost of operations.
Most of the NAF’s L-39ZA aircraft have also been reconfigured locally to carry rocket pods and a pair of 250 kg bombs.
The NAF and the Czech Republic have a robust bilateral relationship, especially in the defence sector. Aero Vodochody provides support to the NAF’s fleet of L-39ZA aircraft, which are used for light attack and pilot training.
In June 2019, during the handover of three reactivated L-39ZA aircraft at the NAF 403 Flying Training School in Kano, the Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Marek Skolil, said that the company has continued to evolve with changing technologies, and that the latest version of the L-39, the L-39NG, would be available for acquisition by the NAF at a reduced cost since modernization elements in the existing L-39s would not be phased out with their airframes but transferred to the new L-39NG.
The Nigerian CAS expressed his appreciation to the Czech Republic for its continued support and cooperation, and said that he looked forward to strengthening the partnership between the two countries and their air forces.
Nigerian Air Force pilots are carrying out air combat training at LOM Praha’s CLV flight-training center. State-owned Czech company LOM Praha began training the Nigerian pilots in the first half of 2018 at the CLV Pardubice air training center in the Czech Republic to improve their air-to-air and air-to-ground combat skills.
Last year, three L-39ZA Albatross trainers and light attack aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force returned to the country following a successful airframe overhaul and avionics upgrade in the Czech.
Also, in December 2020, two L-39ZAs combat trainer aircraft completed the in-country reactivation and Life Extension Programmes (LEPs) to further boost the number of available aircraft for the NAF to continue carrying out its constitutional roles.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s intention to buy six L-39NG Albatros light attack and trainer aircraft from Czech Aero vodochody has stalled due to funding constraints.
Ghana’s defence minster on 2 August, two years ago sought parliamentary approval for the procurement of six L-39NG aircraft, in a deal that is reportedly worth EUR111 million ($132 million) and which covers associated products and services and a ground-based training system as well as the six aircraft.
The acquisition was reviewed and approved by Ghana’s parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee on 17 December 2021.