The Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF), the first customer in the region for the L-39NG trainer aircraft, will soon induct the aircraft into service. Vietnam has a total of 12 L-39NGs on order. Aero Vodochody Aerospace had announced in August, this year, the completion of the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) for its L-39NG trainer aircraft in Vietnam. All six L-39NG aircraft successfully passed the final acceptance test in which the aircraft were in their completed configuration and flown by a factory pilot on site.
“The final step of the handover of the aircraft, called SAT, takes place directly at the customer’s site and is directed by a joint team of around ten specialists from Aero and Omnipol,” said Victor Sotona, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Aero. Earlier this year in October, Aero has renamed the L-39NG as the L-39 ‘Skyfox’ and is eyeing additional export opportunities for the type. Other customers for the L-39NG include Hungary and the Czech Republic and Aero currently has orders for atleast 34 units of the L-39NG.
The VPAF is expected to formally induct the six L-39NGs into service in 2025, following which the aircraft will serve as a training platform for fighter pilots as well as a tactical strike platform fulfilling a wide range of air force missions. The L-39NG platform has been configured specifically for Vietnam, which operates an all-Russian fighter force.
The new aircraft meets the VPAF’s requirements for comprehensive and cost-effective training of future pilots and is also suitable for light combat and reconnaissance missions. “We are proud that, six of these machines, the latest version of the legendary Czech L-39 training jet, are already in operation with their first customer. This is an important milestone for Omnipol and AERO Vodochody,” said Jiří Podpěra, President of Omnipol. Vietnam is the first user of the L-39NG aircraft to receive the aircraft in partnership with Aero’s shareholder Omnipol. Aero achieved a production rate of one aircraft a month in 2024.
The SAT is carried out to is to ensure that the aircraft is correctly installed and configured and is ready for operation. It is also understood that the VPAF has received the all the appropriate theoretical and practical training kits along with its completed L-39NG aircraft, which also includes a simulation training system and manuals for pilots and mechanics.
“The entire project is proceeding according to the agreed schedule, and both parties are cooperating intensively on it,” a company official said. Approximately 400 supplier companies are involved in the production of the L-39NG, with about 65% of the suppliers coming from the Czech Republic. The assembly of one L-39NG aircraft requires approximately 14,000 parts, 17,500 rivets and 31,000 hours of labour.
The new L-39 ‘Skyfox’ will have a service life of up to 15,000 Flying Hours, features use of lightweight composites and has a wet wing. The aircraft has the possibility of operating from unpaved surfaces, can have up to five hard points and features open architecture avionics, Multi-Functional Displays (MFD), HUD, HOTAS and digital radios. The aircraft is fitted with a Martin-Baker Zero-Zero Mk.CZ16H ejection seat and the powerplant is a Williams International FJ 44-4M engine.
Malaysian defense company, Deftech, displayed a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intheir booth during the DSA 2022 expo. The…
Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1…
Cargojet has entered into a five-year strategic agreement with DHL, with a renewal option for an additional two years, to…
The Icelandic airline Eagle Air and the German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have announced a renewal of their support contract…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UPNM Malaysia for collaboration and training of faculty…
Meopta is displaying a wide range of military-grade optical gun sights, scopes, and night vision equipment at the Defense Services…
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s G7 Aerospace at DSA 2022 event on Monday (Mar. 28), Infoglobal…
Insight Atlantic, a Malaysian defense equipment supplier, is displaying a range of made-in Germany, Lowa tactical footwear in its booth…
PAL Aerospace and Thales have signed an agreement to jointly develop the next generation of mission system during the DSA…
Airod Techno Power (ATP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell International to provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)…
Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) has signed an MoU with Nexter on the third day of the DSA 2022 event, Wednesday…
In a public announcement released by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Wednesday (Mar. 30), there have been 54…
Sikorsky and Boeing on Thursday announced six new members, including Magnaghi Aeronautica and Collins Aerospace, of Team DEFIANT. The suppliers…
MA Group will provide the fully integrated landing gear system for the DEFIANT X helicopter, consisting of the nose and…
After spending about US$7.4 million on the project, the Australian government has cancelled its Project Air 7003, a program that…
AerCap has signed lease agreements for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft and two new Airbus A330neo aircraft with ITA Airways.…
A routine service test for an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on April 1 has ended with a surprising result. …
Malaysia-based DefTech and Iveco Defence Vehicles are joining hands to establish an authorised MRO centre for Iveco Defence Vehicles trucks…
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has begun the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned…
FL Technics has launched a dedicated business line for wheels and brakes maintenance and opened a specialized shop at the…
ScioTeq has launched RDU-4208 LAD, its new full redundant Large Area Display (LAD) that can be deployed in new cockpits…
Etihad Airways, on March 31st., 2022, unveiled its new Airbus A350-1000, registration A6-XWB, on a special inaugural commercial flight from…
RGA-Black Stone Airlines, a newcomer in the Indonesian aviation business, officially started its business in the country after having its…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Impeccable Vintage Properties…
Honeywell has signed separate MOUs with Malaysian firms Airod Techno Power (ATP) and Galaxy Aerospace that will further strengthen the…
AirAsia has announced that it will resume international flights from India to Malaysia and Thailand. Flights are now available from…
Embraer and the Brazilian Army have inked a contract to develop and implement Phase Two of the Army's Strategic Program…
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially inducted two Turkish-made T129B ATAK attack helicopters and an Airbus Defense and Space C-295…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project. Operations will…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) S26T submarine acquisition project from China is at risk of cancellation due to Germany’s refusal…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2023. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.