Most Czech L-159 aircraft grounded for lack of pilots, but Ukraine transfer remains blocked
February 6, 2026
The Czech Air Force is flying just four of its Aero L-159 ALCA jets, according to Czech media, yet Prague continues to block efforts to send the underused aircraft to Ukraine.
The situation has raised fresh questions over the operational value of the ageing light attack jets and the political calculus behind keeping them in service despite limited use.
Czech L-159s are unused, but still not available for Ukraine
Respekt reports that Ukraine continues to lobby for the transfer of four Aero L-159 aircraft, despite opposition from Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who argue the jets are still required for national defence.
That position is not universally shared within the Czech state. President Petr Pavel has publicly said the aircraft are not needed, a view echoed by Czech Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka.
According to Respekt’s reporting, the Czech military has in practice been making limited use of the L-159 fleet for some time.
The outlet says there are currently 16 single-seat L-159 aircraft available at the Čáslav air base, but four have been stored in hangars for an extended period, with only one now being returned to service. While 12 aircraft are technically operational, actual flying activity is far more limited.
One unnamed Czech Air Force liaison told Respekt: “We only fly with four aircraft.” He said the service lacks sufficient pilots, with roster positions left unfilled last year, and that the L-159 is no longer a priority platform. “They are making sure there are enough pilots for the Gripen,” he added.
🇨🇿#Czechia: The Čáslav airbase, home to the 21st Tactical Air Force Base, will undergo extensive modernization.
— 𝕻𝖗𝖆𝖎𝖘𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖕𝖍 (@praisethesteph) January 19, 2026
The modernization, which is scheduled to begin this spring, will include airport infrastructure improvements such as the construction of a new runway and taxiways. The… pic.twitter.com/dyZmbbyi6f
The liaison said each L-159 should receive around 150 flight hours per year but is currently flying closer to 80 hours. The aircraft also requires a major overhaul every eight years, raising questions over whether funding will be available for another life-extension cycle.
The liaison half-joked, “We say that we lubricate and keep spare parts more than we fly.”
How Aero L-159s got mixed up with Czech politics
Last month, the Czech president announced that an agreement had been reached to send four surplus L-159s to Ukraine. Ukraine wants these subsonic light fighters for air defence and hunting down Russian Shahed-style drones.
The 2025 elections resulted in a governing coalition being elected in the Czech Republic that is sceptical of sending aid to Ukraine and is at odds with the country’s pro-Ukrainian president.
Ukraine aid has become heavily politicised in the country, and the debate is now more about internal power struggles within Prague.
In late January, Radio Prague International wrote, “the Czech government’s refusal to supply L-159 combat aircraft to Kyiv was retaliation against President Pavel over his refusal to appoint Filip Turek as environment minister.”
It added that Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka’s messages to Pavel stated that the only reason they couldn’t be transferred was his “ill-considered” public remarks on the issue.
President Pavel triggered a row after publishing screenshots of messages he had received from Macinka, saying they amounted to blackmail against the Czech President.
Ukraine’s need for drone hunter aircraft
It is possible that Ukraine could switch to purchasing new L-39NG Skyfox aircraft that are still made in the Czech Republic. The manufacturer says these can be delivered as early as 2027.
Ukraine is relying on a range of systems to counter masses of Russian drones, including adapted F-16s and Mirage 2000 fast jets, modified helicopters, interceptor drones, and more.
A Ukrainian civilian An-28 aircraft, modified for the role of a “Shahed hunter,” now bears a staggering 114 confirmed kills marked on its fuselage. https://t.co/AxeHdG9gtd pic.twitter.com/HWaM20cOgW
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) February 4, 2026
One notable aircraft is an Antonov An-28 transport aircraft that has been photographed with a staggering 114 confirmed Shahed kills marked on its fuselage.
Featured Image: Czech President Petr Pavel
