Czech Republic considers supplying Ukraine with 16 L-39 Skyfox aircraft

Following a breakdown in an effort to supply Ukraine with L-159 ALCAs from its own stocks, the Czech Republic is discussing transferring a dozen new-build L-39 Skyfox trainers, light combat, drone interceptors.

The Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Karel Havlíček, said on Wednesday (11 November) that the Czech Republic may help to facilitate the supply of 16 Skyfox aircraft to Ukraine.

Havlíček added that four Skyfox jets have already been confirmed for delivery and that discussion is now focusing on 12 more. Funding for the first four is secure, but funding for the next 12 remains in negotiation.

At the end of July 2026, it was reported that the Czech Republic and Ukraine had jointly approached about 12 partner countries (Australia, Canada, and 10 European states) seeking financing for the purchase.

What is the L-39 Skyfox?

The Skyfox is a turbofan-powered military trainer, light combat, and drone-interceptor aircraft developed by the Czech Republic’s Aero Vodochody and is the successor to the Aero L-39 Albatros.

Aero Vodochody is the primary Czech airplane maker and is noted for producing a range of jet-powered trainers. This includes the L-29 Delfn and L-39 Albatros and the L-39 derivatives, the L-59 Super Albatros and the L-159 ALCA aircraft.

The company currently produces around 12 L-39 Skyfox jet trainers annually, with company statements suggesting it has capacity to produce up to 18 a year.

It has sold over 40 Skyfox aircraft today, and its production schedule is fully booked through to the second quarter of 2027.

Failed efforts to acquire Czech L-159 ALCAs

AGN has previously reported that Ukraine was seeking to acquire four L-159 ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft) from the Czech Armed Forces inventory.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejected transferring the aircraft, arguing the Czech military needed them. AGN subsequently reported that the Czech Air Force lacks the pilots to fly them.

Ukraine intended to use them as drone hunters to help intercept masses of Russian drones being fired.

Aero Vodochody’s New Drone Hunter

The Aero L-39 Skyfox is Aero’s latest aircraft, having only reached serial production in 2024. In September 2026, the dedicated Skyfox Drone Hunter version was unveiled.

That version can carry up to 28 of the cheap 70 mm laser-guided rockets used to intercept drones. It can also carry a 12.7mm gun pod.

The Czech news outlet CT24 states, “Drone Hunter has not yet been deployed operationally, and its capabilities will need to be demonstrated through further testing.”

Ukraine and other countries are currently using fighter jets to intercept drones. The Skyfox would offer significantly lower operating costs than those of a frontline fighter.

Unlike fighter jets, the Drone Hunter configuration lacks an expensive onboard search radar. Instead, it relies on external sensors for target detection and its electro-optical/infrared pod for identification and targeting.

Aeros Vodochody’s advertizing brochure claims, “Very low operational cost (less than 2000 €/FLH), Faster response time (~13 min) outperforming helicopters and turboprops, Extended endurance capability (4 h 45 min) and loiter time (3 h+).”